Veer Vikramaditya

Author(s): Mohanlal Chunilal Dhami, Dulahraj Muni
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati
Catalog link: https://jainqq.org/explore/006163/1

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upanyAsa : mohanalAla cunnIlAla dhAmI kRta vIra vikramAditya rUpAntarakAra : AgamamanISI muni dulaharAja

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mohanalAla cunnIlAla dhAmI kRta vIra vikramAditya - rUpAntarakAra AgamamanISI muni dulaharAja jaina vizvabhAratI prakAzana lADanUM-341306 (rAjasthAna)

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prakAzaka : jaina vizva bhAratI posTa : lADanUM-341306 jilA : nAgaura (rAja.) phona naM. : (01581) 222080/224671 I-mela : jainvishvabharati@yahoo.com (c) jainavizvabhAratI, lADanUM ISBN: 978-81-7195-157-4 navIna saMskaraNa : 2010 saujanya: sva. zrI ghIsUlAla jI evaM 'zraddhA kI pratimUrti' sva. zrImatI ghIsIbAI maralecA kI puNyasamRti meM unake suputra kAnamala-sUrajabAI supautra - dilIpa-saMtoSa, khemaMta-rekhA. prapautra - cetana, dikSita, prapautrI - prajJA, caritrA, preraNA maralecA (kaMTAliyA-paDapai-tAMbarama) mUlya : 200/- (dau sau rUpayA mAtra) mudraka : pAyorAITa prinTa mIDiyA prA. li., udayapura, 0294-2418482

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AzIrvacana zramaniSThA, sevAniSThA aura zrutaniSThA - isa triveNI meM jinhoMne apane jIvana ko abhisnAta kiyA hai, ve haiM - muni dulaharAjajI / merI sevA meM ahobhAva se saMlagna rahe haiN| inhoMne sevA ke sAtha zruta kI ullekhanIya aura anukaraNIya upAsanA kI hai| mere sAhitya-saMpAdana kA kArya varSoM taka jAgarUkatA ke sAtha kiyaa| Agama saMpAdana ke kArya meM mere ananya sahayogI rhe| 'AgamamanISI saMbodhana inakI sevAoM kA eka mUlyAMkana hai| inakA hindI, aMgrejI, saMskRta, prAkRta, gujarAtI Adi bhASAoM para acchA adhikAra hai / isIliye ye saMskRta, prAkRta sAhitya ke bhASAntaraNa meM saphala rhe| inhoMne aneka gujarAtI upanyAsoM kA bhI hindI bhASA meM sarasa aura prAMjala zailI meM rUpAntaraNa kiyA hai| prastuta kRti 'vIra vikramAditya' usakI eka niSpatti hai| isase pAThaka varga lAbhAnvita ho skegaa| 1 maI, 2010 saradArazahara AcArya mahAprajJa

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Adivacana upanyAsa anta:karaNa kI preraNAoM, abhipreraNAoM, kalpanAoM aura jIvana ke utAra-car3hAvoM kA eka dastAveja hai| use par3hane vAlA kabhI romAMcita hotA hai to kabhI utsukatA ke jhUle meM jhUlatA hai| kabhI raudra-vIra - karuNA aura Adi rasoM kA rasAsvAdana karatA hai to kabhI rocakatA ke pravahaNa meM car3hakara Ananda ke samudra meM unmajjana- nimajjana karatA hai / upanyAsa meM sahaja hI madhuratA aura sarasatA hotI hai| use par3hane se kabhI Uba kA anubhava nahIM hotaa| vaha upanyAsa upanyAsa hI kyA, jisako par3hane se mana meM gudagudI paidA na ho aura utsukatA hI samApta ho jaae| 'Age kyA hai'- jo isa AzA ko jagAtA hai, vAstava meM vahI upanyAsa hai / upanyAsa - lekhana meM aitihAsikatA aura kalpanAzIlatA - donoM vidhAoM ko AdhAra banAyA jA sakatA hai| vaidya mohanalAla cunnIlAla dhAmI eka prasiddha gujarAtI upanyAsakAra the| ve rAjakoTa (saurASTra) ke nivAsI the| unhoMne aneka gujarAtI upanyAsa likhe| upanyAsoM ke mAdhyama se unhoMne jaina saMskRti, jaina itihAsa, jaina sabhyatA aura jaina ghaTanA prasaMgoM ko prANavAn banAne kA prayatna kiyA / aneka upanyAsoM meM unakA eka prasiddha gujarAtI upanyAsa hai - 'siddha vaitAla' / yaha tIna khaMDoM meM prakAzita huA thA / yaha upanyAsa aitihAsika puruSa vIra vikramAditya aura agnivaitAla para AdhArita hai| maiMne isakA hindI rUpAntaraNa kara ise 'vIra vikramAditya' zIrSaka se janatA ke sAmane prastuta kiyA hai| vIra vikramAditya eka aitihAsika puruSa the| unake nAma para bhAratavarSa meM 'vikrama saMvat' pracalita huaa| unakA zAsanakAla atyadhika pratApI, prabhAvI aura vismayakArI rhaa| unakA kAryakAla mAnavI aura daivika zaktiyoM kA eka adbhuta saMgama thaa| apane cAturyabala para unhoMne 'agnivaitAla' ko apanA mitra bnaayaa| usake AdhAra para unake aneka camatkArI kArya saMpAdita hue / mAlavAdhipati aura avantInAtha vIra vikramAditya na kevala rAjanItikuzala the apitu nItiniSTha aura dharmiSTha bhI the| unakI paropakAra - parAyaNatA, nyAyapriyatA aura dayAlutA jagatvizruta thI / ve bhujabala, sainyabala, buddhibala aura cAturyabala se sarvathA sampanna the| unakA jIvana aneka ghaTanA-pra -prasaMgoM se saMbaddha rahA /

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prastuta upanyAsa una jIvanta ghaTanAoM kA sAkSI hai| yaha upanyAsa sarvaprathama san 1686 meM prakAzita huA thaa| lagabhaga ikkIsa varSoM kI pralamba avadhi ke pazcAt yaha puna: logoM ke hAthoM meM pahuMca rahA hai| isa samayAvadhi meM maiMne dekhA-logoM kI upanyAsoM ke prati bar3hatI huI ruci, utsukatA aura unase bodha pATha lene kI umaMga ko| mujhe pUrNa vizvAsa hai ki yaha upanyAsa bhI unakI bhAvanA ko paripUrNa karatA huA upanyAsapremiyoM ko tRpti aura santoSa degaa| jaina vizvabhAratI ne ina upanyAsoM kA puna: mudraNa karAkara apane dAyitva kA nirvahana kiyA hai| yaha usakI kAryaniSThA kI phalazruti hai| isa samasta kArya kI niSpatti meM mere dAeM-bAeM rahane vAle do muniyoM kA atyadhika parizrama lgaa| ve munidvaya haiM-muni rAjendrakumArajI aura muni jitendrkumaarjii| merI maMgala kAmanA hai ki donoM muniyoM kI uttarottara kAryaniSThA, parizramazIlatA, laganazIlatA vRddhiMgata hotI rhe| AcArya tulasI mere dIkSA guru the| unhoMne mujhe sarvatomukhI vikAsa karane kA avasara diyaa| unake isa upakAra ko maiM kaise vismRta kara sakatA huuN| AcArya mahAprajJa ke pAsa maiM chaha dazaka se adhika samaya taka unakA banakara rhaa| dIkSA lete hI merA eka mAnasika saMkalpa thA ki maiM unake pAsa rhuuN| merI bhAvanA sAkAra huI aura maiM unake pAsa A gyaa| unhoMne mere lie vaha saba kucha kiyA, jo eka guru apane ziSya ke lie karatA hai| ve mere jIvana kA nirmANa karane vAle, saMrakSaka, pratibodhaka aura alpajJa se AgamajJa banAne vAle the| unake mahAn upakAra se uRNa honA mere lie sarvathA azakya hai| ve akasmAt hameM chor3akara cale ge| niyati ko yahI mAnya thaa| niyati ke Age hama saba baune aura vivaza haiN| kAza! prastuta upanyAsa kA lokArpaNa unake sAmane hotaa| __anta meM maiM AcArya mahAzramaNa ke prati apanI AsthA ke sumanoM ko samarpita karatA huA baddhAMjali praNata huuN| upanyAsarasika sudhIjana prastuta upanyAsa ko par3hakara apanI dizA aura dazA ko badala sakeMge, isa maMgala aura kalyANamayI bhAvanA ke sAtha.... AgamamanISI muni dulaharAja saradArazahara (cUrU) 20 julAI, 2010

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mahArAjA bhartahari kA patnI ke prati agAdha prema thaa| usI agAdha prema se unakA mana virakta huA aura ve tyAga ke mArga para cala pdd'e| anaMgasenA ne AtmahatyA kara lii| rAjabhavana sUnA ho gyaa| adher3a umra kA maMtrI buddhisAgara, rAjya ke anyAnya maMtrI tathA nagaraseTha Adi viziSTa vyaktiyoM ne maMtraNA kara yuvarAja vikramAditya kI khoja karane ke lie cAroM dizAoM meM AdamI bheja die| kintu khoja ke tIna mahIne bIta jAne para bhI yuvarAja kA kahIM atA-patA nahIM milaa| atA-patA bhI kaise lagatA! uttarapradeza kI yAtrA ke lie prasthita avadhUta narmadA nadI ke kinAre jaMgaloM meM ruka gayA thaa| vahAM eka saMgItAcArya se paricaya huA aura vahAM usake Azrama meM saMgIta aura nRtya kI zikSA grahaNa karane ke lie ruka gyaa| vikramAditya jaba bAlaka thA, taba vaha apane bar3e bhAI ke sAtha saMgIta kA abhyAsa karatA thA aura prAraMbhika jJAna prApta kara liyA thaa| parantu saMgIta to eka athAha sAgara hai| usakA pAra koI martya pA nahIM sktaa| kintu isa jaMgala meM vayovRddha saMgItAcArya kA anAyAsa hI yoga milA aura usakA nirAza mana puna: AzAoM se bhara gayA aura vaha isIlie usa ramaNIya vana-pradeza meM sthira ho gyaa| yuvarAja kA vRttAnta na milane ke kAraNa avaMtI rAjya kA maMtrivarga bahuta cintita ho gyaa| rAjya kA kArobAra vyavasthita cala rahA thA, para rAjA ke binA rAjasiMhAsana kI rakSA kaise kI jA sakatI hai? yadi koI balazAlI rAjA AkramaNa kara de yA koI pArivArika bandhu rAjya har3apane ke lie sira uThAe to kyA kiyA jAe? itanA hone para bhI yuvarAja kI Toha meM guptacaroM kI aneka ToliyAM bhArata kI cAroM dizAoM meM bhejI jA cukI thiiN| do mahIne aura bIta ge| yuvarAja kA koI vRttAnta nahIM milaa| anta meM mahAmaMtrI tathA anya maMtriyoM ne yaha nirNaya liyA ki isa gaddI para jisakA haka pahalA ho, use rAjagaddI para biThA diyA jaae| sabhI maMtrI, pArivArika jana, senAnAyaka tathA saradAra ekatrita hue| ve kucha nirNaya kareM, usase pUrva hI avaMtI ke sUne rAjasiMhAsana para vyaMtara jAti ke deva agnivaitAla kI najara par3I aura usake mana meM rAjasukha bhogane kI prabala lAlasA jAgRta ho gii| aba vaha adRzya rUpa se rAjabhavana meM AtA aura siMhAsana para apane adhikAra ko mAna letaa|

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kisI ko adRzya vyaMtara kI kalpanA nahIM thii| rAjya ke gaNyamAnya vyaktiyoM ne sarvasammati se zrIpati nAmaka eka yuvaka ko rAjasiMhAsana ke lie cunA / kisI prakAra kI kalpanA na ho aura akasmAt hI itane vizAla sAmrAjya kA svAmitva prApta ho to kyA yaha kama bhAgya kI bAta hai ? jaba bhAgya kA udaya honA hotA hai, taba vaha Akasmika rUpa se hotA hai| yadi bhAgya maMda hai to varSoM taka puruSArtha karane para bhI kucha nahIM hotA / sabakI dRSTi zrIpati para TikI huI thI aura rAjasabhA ke sadasyoM ne ekamata se zrIpati ko mAlavanAtha ke rUpa meM svIkRti de dI ; kyoMki zrIpati bhartRhari ke kula kA ati nikaTa sadasya thA / zrIpati eka sAmanta thA / usake adhIna dasa gAMva the aura vaha avaMtI se bIsa kosa kI dUrI para rahatA thaa| kahAM to dasa gAMvoM kA Adhipatya aura kahAM mAlava pradeza kA vizAla aura samRddha rAjya! zrIpati ke mAtA -1 -pitA Ananda- -vibhora ho ge| unhoMne socA, aba yahAM ke miTTI ke makAnoM ko chor3akara kAMca ke mahaloM meM nivAsa karanA hogaa| saikar3oM dAsa-dAsI AjJA kI pratIkSA meM hAtha jor3e khar3e mileNge| pAnI mAMgane para dUdha prastuta kareMge - sampUrNa mAlava meM jayanAda gUMjegA / kabhI-kabhI bhAgya jAgatA hai taba vyakti ke mana meM aisI taraMgeM uThatI haiM / zrIpati kA vivAha agale varSa karanA thaa| abhI cAra mAsa pUrva hI pAMca gAMva ke eka saradAra kI putrI ke sAtha sagAI kI thii| zrIpati ke pitA ne socA, aba yaha sagAI-saMbaMdha zobhita nahIM hogA / putra mAlava kA samrAT bane aura vaha eka nirdhana saradAra kI putrI ke sAtha vivAha kare, yaha kisI bhI prakAra se ucita nahIM kahA jA sktaa| zrIpati ke lie to dUsarI koI sagAI kI khoja karanI hogI / avaMtI ke rAjapurohita ne mAgha zuklA tIja ko rAjatilaka kA dina nizcita kiyA / usa velA ke abhI dasa dina zeSa the| zrIpati ke mAtA-pitA zrIpati kI svIkRti prApta kara, sagAI ko chor3ane kI bAta kahalavA dii| zrIpati, usake mAtA-pitA tathA anya kuTumbIjana avaMtI meM A gaeuna sabako eka anya mahala meM ThaharAyA gayA / rAjyAbhiSeka ke pazcAt ve rAjabhavana meM A jAeMge, aisA rAjapurohita neM kahA thaa| rAjyAbhiSeka kA zubha dina A gyaa| sArA nagara utsavamaya ho gyaa| sthAnasthAna para toraNadvAra banAe gae the| janatA meM yaha jAnakara prasannatA thI ki mahInoM se sUnA par3A huA siMhAsana aba sanAtha hogaa| sabhI loga naye rAjA kA abhinandana karane ke lie utAvale ho rahe the| 2 vIra vikramAditya

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rAjyAbhiSeka pUrNa ADambara ke sAtha sampanna huaa| rAjarAjezvara mAlavanAtha mahArAja zrIpati kI jaya-jayakAra se sArI rAjasabhA gUMja utthii| maMtriyoM kI sUcanA ke anusAra yAcakoM ko dAna diyA gyaa| rAjasabhA ke prAMgaNa meM sAmUhika bhoja kA samAraMbha huaa| rAtri meM nartakiyoM aura gAyikAoM kA kAryakrama huaa| rAjasabhA meM ekatrita logoM ko maireya aura vAruNi nahIM dI jAtI thI, kintu zrIpati ke pitA zakti sampradAya ke upAsaka the, ata: unhoMne maireya dene ke lie dAsa-dAsiyoM ko AjJA dii| 1. agnivaitAla lagabhaga AdhI rAta bIta jAne para mahArAja zrIpati apane zayanakakSa meM ge| ve yuvA the| gAMva ke saMskAroM se sampanna the| mitra bhI vaise hI mile the| zayanagRha meM jAne ke bAda unake mana meM kisI sundara dAsI ke sAtha prathama rAtri bitAne kI icchA huii| kintu saMkocavaza unhoMne kisI se kucha nahIM kahA aura dvAra banda kara ratnajaTita svarNa ke palaMga para bichI huI rezamI zayyA para so gye| eka ora to AkaNTha madirA kA pAna kara liyA thaa| usI gulAbI mAdakatA ke sAtha Aja hI prApta sattA kI mAdakatA kA milana ho gyaa| sattA prApta hone para jo vyakti AmravRkSa kI bhAMti vinamra nahIM hote, kintu tAr3avRkSa kI bhAMti akar3a jAte haiM, una manuSyoM ke jIvana meM sattA kI mAdakatA viSatulya ho jAtI hai| zrIpati Aja hI mahArAja bhartRhari ke uttarAdhikArI bane the aura Aja hI unake mana meM strI-sahavAsa kI bhUkha jAga gaI thii| kintu rAjabhavana kI paricArikAoM se nitAnta aparicita hone tathA yaha bAta bAhara prakaTa na ho, isa vicAra hI vicAra meM ve akele zayyA para so gae aura prAta:kAla kI zarabatI kalpanAoM ko saMjote hue ve kucha hI kSaNoM meM nidrAdhIna ho ge| kucha hI kSaNoM ke pazcAt akasmAt hI vaha baMda dvAra khula gyaa| zrIpati usa vizAla palaMga para sIdhA so rahA thaa| dvAra puna: baMda ho gayA aura svata: hI usameM sAMkala aTaka gii| vahAM kisI manuSya kI parachAI bhI nahIM dIkha rahI thii| to phira dvAra apane Apa kaise khulA aura kaise banda ho gayA? dIpamAlAoM kA prakAza zayanakakSa meM vyApta thaa| acAnaka eka vizAla AkRti dikhAI dene lgii| usake keza khule the| usakI AMkheM lAla thiiN| aisA laga rahA thA ki usake muMha para do dhadhakate aMgAre rakhe hue hoN| usakA varNa atyanta zyAma thaa| usakI bhujAeM pracaNDa thiiN| usake zarIra para lAla rezama kI dhotI zobhita vIra vikramAditya 3

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ho rahI thii| usakA uttarIya zveta thA-kAnoM ke kuNDala camaka rahe the| usake gale meM muktA aura mANaka kI mAlA jhUla rahI thii| usake bAjUbaMda hIraka-maMDita hone ke kAraNa camaka rahe the| isa prakAra acAnaka prakaTa hotI huI isa AkRti ko koI pahalI bAra dekhane vAlA pahalI najara meM hI phaTa jAe, avAk ho jAe aura yadi vaha durbala ho to vahIM mara jaae| yaha mAnavAkRti aura koI nahIM, svayaM agnivaitAla kI hI thii| usane roSa bharI dRSTi se palaMga kI ora dekhaa| do kSaNa taka palaMga para par3e vyakti kI ora dekhakara vaha apanI talavAra hAtha meM le palaMga kI ora bddh'aa| palaMga ke pAsa Akara usane khAMsA, kintu zrIpati gaharI nIMda meM so rahA thaa| agnivaitAla ne use eka hAtha se Upara utthaayaa| madhura svapna meM khoyA huA zrIpati jAgA aura vaha agnivaitAla kI ora dekhane lgaa| agnivaitAla ne zrIpati ko palaMga para paTakate hue kahA- 'nAlAyaka! mere siMhAsana para tU kyoM baiThA? hAtha meM talavAra le, anyathA maiM tujhe cUsa luuNgaa|' zrIpati ke hAtha jur3a gae aura vaha kAMpane lgaa| agnivaitAla ne aTTahAsa karate hue kahA- 'kAyara! bujadila ! rAjasiMhAsana kAyaroM se kabhI zobhita nahIM hotA, talavAra uThA!' zrIpati kI jIbha talave para cipaka gaI thii| agnivaitAla ne zrIpati ke kAMpate paira ko pakar3a liyaa| zrIpati bolA-'Apa....Apa....yahAM kaise A gae?' 'are! muoM ke saradAra!' yaha kahakara agnivaitAla ne zrIpati ke paira kA aMgUThA apane muMha meM le liyaa| kucha hI kSaNoM meM zrIpati kA zarIra niSprANa ho gyaa| agnivaitAla ne usakI niSprANa kAyA nIce pheMka dI aura vaha eka mukta vAtAyana se adRzya ho gyaa| dUsare dina prAta:kAla ke samaya zrIpati ke dAsa ne zayanakakSa kA dvAra khaTakhaTAyA kintu dvAra ko khole kauna ? dAsa ne mana hI mana socA-mahArAja rAta meM vilamba se soe the, ata: nidrAdhIna haiN| kintu jaba eka prahara dina bIta gayA, phira bhI zayanakakSa kA dvAra nahIM khulA, taba sAredAsa-dAsI ghabarA ge| mahAmaMtrI buddhisAgara bhI maMtraNA ke lie A ge| unhoMne bhI dvAra khaTakhaTAyA, phira anta meM dvAra ko tor3akara aMdara ge| zrIpati kA niSprANa zarIra nIce galIce para par3A thaa| aisA laga rahA thA mAno usake zarIra se sArA rakta cUsa liyA gayA hai| vahAM kala Ananda-maMgala thA, vahAM Aja karuNa krandana hone lgaa| zrIpati ke mAtA-pitA apane ikalaute putra kI yaha dazA dekhakara mUrchita ho ge| 4 vIra vikramAditya

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nagarapAlaka, mahAbalAdhikRta Adi adhikArI vahAM A phuNce| aisA kaise huA-isakI khoja kI gaI, para saba vyartha / kucha bhI samajha meM nahIM aayaa| zrIpati ke mAtA-pitA putra kI antyeSTi kriyA sampanna kara apane gAMva cale ge| svapna AyA aura bIta gyaa| rAjasiMhAsana sUnA ho gyaa| maMtrI puna: usI cintA se cintita ho ge| pandraha dina bIta ge| maMtriyoM ne puna: adhInastha choTe rAjAoM ko ekatrita kiyA aura eka dUsare yuvaka ko mAlavapati ke rUpa meM cunaa| navayuvaka lakSmaNasiMha thaa| bhAgya camaka uThA-kevala madhyarAtri taka-pazcAt usakI bhI vahI dazA huii| maMtrigaNa asamaMjasa meM par3a ge| isI prakAra isa siMhAsana para adhInastha rAjAoM ke cAra rAjakumAroM ko biThAyA gayA aura sabakI eka hI gati huii| kisI ko koI patA nahIM lagA ki aisA kyoM huA? rAjapurohita ne grahazAnti kA upakrama kiyaa| kisI choTe devatA kI yaha karatUta ho to usakI tRpti ke lie yajJa kiyA gyaa| bAkale pheMke ge| aneka maMtravidoM ko nimaMtrita kiyA gyaa| aura jaba pAMcaveM navayuvaka ko rAjasiMhAsana para biThAyA aura usakI bhI vahI dazA huI taba bijalI ke girane se jaise dharatI kAMpa uThatI hai, vaise hI samasta avaMtI kAMpa utthii| adhInastha rAjAoM ne bhI isa rAjagaddI kI lAlasA sadA ke lie chor3a dii| aba kyA kiyA jAe? maMtravidoM ke prayatna niSphala hue, sAdhakoM ne hAtha khIMca liye / agnivaitAla kI isa kriyA ko koI nahIM pakar3a skaa| isI prakAra chaha mahIne aura bIta gae / mahArAja bhartRhari ko eka vana meM khoja liyA, kintu unhoMne koI uttara nahIM diyaa| thake hue maMtriyoM ne yuvarAja vikramAditya ko DhUMDhane kA bahuta prayAsa kiyA, kintu unake koI samAcAra prApta nahIM hue aura idhara avadhUta ke veza meM vikramAditya eka varSa taka usa Azrama meM saMgIta kI sAdhanA kara puna: yAtrA ke lie nikala pdd'e| mAlava deza kI paristhiti se ve sarvathA anajAna the| unhoMne kucha bhI nahIM sunA thaa| unakA citta yAtrA ke lie prastuta thA aura ve aneka yAtrA-sthAnoM meM apanI saMgIta-sAdhanA ko sArthaka karane kI bAta soca rahe the| akele hI vikramAditya uttarApatha kI yAtrA ke nimitta narmadA nadI ko pAra kara Age bar3hate ge| vIra vikramAditya 5

Page #13
2. bhaTTamAtra mAlava pradeza kI sImA se bIsa kosa dUra para sthita candrAvatI nAma kI eka nagarI thii| vikramAditya vahAM A phuNce| nagarI svaccha, sundara aura ramaNIya thii| candrAvatI nagarI ko dekhate hI unake smRtipaTala para avaMtI nagarI nAcane lgii| avaMtI kA smaraNa Ate hI unake mana meM mAlava deza ke tyAga kI smRti tAjI ho gii| unhoMne kabhI mahArAja bhartRhari se yaha prazna bhI nahIM kiyA thA ki unheM mAlava deza se kyoM nikAlA jA rahA hai| kintu bar3e bhAI kI AjJA ko, AjJAkArI sainika kI bhAMti svIkAra kara ve ghara se nikala par3e the| jaba se deza-tyAga kiyA thA, usI dina se ve isake kAraNa kI khoja meM lage rahe, para Aja taka unheM apanA koI doSa dRSTigocara nahIM huaa| taba phira mahArAja bhartRhari ne unheM deza-tyAga karane ke lie kyoM kahA? maiM unake saubhAgya kA virodhI to thA nahIM, maiM unakI sattA kA virodhI bhI nahIM thA, mere hRdaya meM unake prati agAdha zraddhAbhAva thA.....to phira? 'to phira' kA uttara koI nahIM de pA rahA thaa| candrAvatI nagarI ko dekhane ke pazcAt unakI yaha purAnI smRti puna: tAjA ho gii| unake mana meM yaha vicAra uThA ki unheM eka bAra avaMtI jAkara hI phira Age bar3hanA cAhie-dekhUto sahI ki mere mitra kyA kara rahe haiM? kyA soca rahe haiM ? bar3e bhAI ko saMtAna-prApti huI yA nahIM? mAM ke samAna bhAvaja kaise haiM? isa prakAra avaMtI jAne kA AkarSaNa unake mana meM jAgRta huaa| sAtha hI sAtha yaha vicAra bhI ubharakara sAmane AyA ki mujhe kyoM jAnA cAhie? to kyA phira isI avadhUta veza meM jIvana ko samApta kara dUM? mere pitA kauna the? merA kula kauna-sA hai? merI jAti kauna-sI hai? puruSArthahIna hokara isa prakAra bhaTakate rahane se lAbha hI kyA hai ? mana meM uThe hue ina vicAroM ne vikramAditya ko vicalita kara ddaalaa| nahIM....nahIM....nahIM, jisa bhUmi se deza-tyAga kI bAta kahI gaI, usa bhUmi kA moha kyoM rakhA jAe? isase to acchA hai ki maiM magadha deza kI ora jAUM, vahAM rAjagRha, campA, vaizAlI, vizAkhA, ratnA Adi aneka sundara nagariyAM haiN| girivraja nagarI bhI darzanIya hai| aise kisI sthAna para pahuMcakara puruSArtha karanA-kisI rAjA ko saMgIta se mugdha kara kucha kArya lenA, yaha upayogI hai| isa prakAra avadhUta ke veza meM jIvana samApta kara dene kA koI prayojana nahIM hai-aura yadi avadhUta ke veza meM hI jIvana-yApana karanA hai to phira kisI yogI ke Azrama meM rahanA hI zreyaskara hai-athavA himagiri para jAkara sAdhanA karanI caahie| 6 vIra vikramAditya

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isa prakAra aneka vicAroM ke utAra-car3hAva se gujarate hue avadhUta vikramAditya sthaMbhanapura ke bAjAra ko dekhate hue cale jA rahe the| avadhUta kA veza dhAraNa karane ke pazcAt vikramAditya ne apane lie kucha niyama banA liyethe-kisI ke samakSa hAtha nahIM pasAranA, kisI se bhikSA kI yAcanA nahIM karanA, kisI kA dAna nahIM lenA, koI bhojana karAe to bhojana kara lenA, anyathA phala-phUla khAkara raha jaanaa| kintu puNyavAn vyakti jahAM kahIM hoM, puNya sadA unake sAtha rahate haiN| vikramAditya uttama rAjakula ke bAlaka the-navayuvaka the, nirdoSa aura pavitra the| unake nayana tejasvI, varNa gaura aura mukha prabhAvazAlI thaa| unakI bhujAeM pracaMDa, kAyA sudRr3ha aura pramANopeta thii| unakI dAr3hI aura mUMcha ke bAla bar3he hue the, phira bhI unakA rAjateja spaSTa dRSTigocara ho rahA thaa| sthaMbhanapura nagara meM sthaMbhana pArzvadeva kA vizAla maMdira thaa| vaha atyanta ramaNIya aura darzanIya thaa| vahIM kAmanAtha mahAdeva kA maMdira bhI ajor3a ginA jAtA thaa| avadhUta vikramAditya nagara kI chaTA ko dekhate hue Age bar3ha rahe the| bAjAra meM Ane-jAne vAlA pratyeka vyakti avadhUta ke tejasvI vadana ko dekhakara zraddhApUrvaka namaskAra krtaa| dekhane vAlA yahI socatA ki kisI du:kha se du:khI hokara isa navayuvaka ne saMnyAsa dhAraNa kiyA hai| kyA isake mAM-bApa mara gae? kyA isako sautelI mAM kA saMtApa thA? kyA yaha bacapana se hI vairAgI bana gayA ? eka dUkAna para eka mAladAra sArthavAha mAla kI kharIdI kara rahA thaa| usake sAtha vAle do AdamiyoM ne tejamUrti avadhUta kI ora dekhA aura bole- 'seThajI! yaha koI bAlayogI hai| kitanA isakA teja hai?' 'kahAM hai?' seTha ne puuchaa| 'dekho, sAmane se A rahe haiN|' seTha ne mAla kA saudA banda kara do kSaNoM ke lie avadhUta kI ora dekhAbhavya kapAla, pracaMDa bhujAeM, mAMsala deha, tejasvI nyn| avadhUta vikramAditya usa dUkAna ke pAsa se gujara gae-sArthavAha AMkheM phAr3a-phAr3akara unheM dekha rahA thaa| usane vyApArI se kahA- 'tuma mAla tolo| maiM abhI A rahA hN|' yaha kahakara vaha seTha avadhUta ke pIche cala pdd'aa| vikramAditya dhIre-dhIre cala rahe the| sArthavAha unake pAsa pahuMcA aura hAtha jor3akara bolA- 'mahAtman ! merA praNAma svIkAra ho|' vikramAditya ne kevala hAtha UMcA kiyaa| vIra vikramAditya 7

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sArthavAha ne apanI kamara para baMdhI huI thailI nikAlI aura kahA-'yogirAja! caraNa-sparza karanA cAhatA hai|' vikramAditya vahIM khar3e raha gye| seTha ne pAMca svarNa mudrAeM arpita kii| yaha dekhakara vikramAditya bole-'bhAI! maiM dhana ko nahIM chUtA-mere ko dhana kI AvazyakatA bhI nahIM hai|' 'kRpAvatAra, yaha to maiN....|' vikrama ne haMsate hue kahA- 'maiM terI bhAvanA ko jAna cukA hUM....sAdhu aura svarNa kA kabhI kahIM mela nahIM hotaa|' ___ seTha ne caraNa-sparza kara avadhUta ke caraNoM meM pAMca svarNa mudrAeM car3hA diiN| vikramAditya muskarAte hue Age bar3ha gae-svarNa mudrAeM mArga meM par3I raha giiN| seTha ne ise saMta kA prasAda samajhakara pAMcoM svarNa mudrAeM uThA liiN| usane socA, yaha to koI mahAn yogI hai, saccA tyAgI hai| vikramAditya ko isa prakAra ke aneka anubhava hue| koI vyakti kabhI phalAhAra athavA khAdya-sAmagrI de jaataa| yadi AvazyakatA hotI to ve use rakhate, anyathA vApasa lauTA dete| isa avasthA meM bhI vikrama apanI mAtA dvArA saMprApta saMskAra ko nahIM bhUle the-ve sUryAsta ke bAda anna-jala grahaNa nahIM karate the| ve bAjAra se cale jA rahe the| eka sthAna para unhoMne dekhA ki eka brAhmaNa baiThA hai| vaha lagabhaga tIsa varSa kI AyuSya kA hogaa| loga usako gherakara khar3e the| pratyeka vyakti apanekrama ke anusAra usake pAsa jAtA, prazna karatA, brAhmaNa usakA javAba detaa| vikramAditya ne socA, yaha koI nimittajJa athavA jyotiSI hai| loga apanA bhAgya jAnane ke lie kitane utsuka haiN| vikramAditya ke mana meM bhI kutahala utpanna huA aura ve nikaTa ke eka vRkSa ke nIce khar3e rahakara sArA dRzya dekhane lge| unhoMne dekhA ki jyotiSI kA ceharA nirmala aura jJAna se gaMbhIra hai| garIbI hone para bhI usakA mana aura vadana atyanta prasanna hai| usakA zarIra bhI svastha aura sundara hai| __ acAnaka usa jyotiSI kI dRSTi avadhUta para par3I aura usakI AMkhoM meM camaka daur3a pdd'ii| usane socA-yaha avadhUta koI asAdhAraNa puruSa hai| isakA tejasvI vadana rAjavaMzI hone kA sAkSya hai| isakI AMkha kI jyoti amRta-varSA kara rahI hai| isakI pracaNDa bhujAoM meM kSatriya kA bala hone kA saMketa prApta ho rahA hai| itanA dekhakara jyotiSI ne socA-aise mahAtmA puruSa se milanA cAhie aura unakI pahacAna kara lenI caahie| kintu praznakartAoM kI bhIr3a lagI huI thii| sAyaMkAla kA samaya ho rahA thaa| jyotiSI sabake praznoM kA samAdhAna prastuta karane lgaa| praznakartA 8 vIra vikramAditya

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samAdhAna pAkara khisakane lge| bhIr3a kama ho gii| logoM ne jyotiSI kI bhUri-bhUri sarAhanA kii| vikramAditya ko Azcarya huA ki yaha vyakti binA gaNita kie kisa prakAra praznoM ke uttara detA hogA? kyA yaha AkRti vijJAna kA jJAtA hai ? yaha na kisI kI hastarekhA dekhatA hai, na janmakuNDalI dekhatA hai, kevala do-cAra kSaNoM taka AkRti ko dekhakara prazna kA uttara detA hai- aisA maiMne Aja taka nahIM dekhA, nahIM sunaa| sUryAsta ho jAne para jalapAna nahIM karanA hai, yaha socakara vikramAditya nagarI ke dvAra kI ora cala pdd'e| jyotiSI bhI apanA Asana kaMdhe para rakhakara vikramAditya ke pIche jaldIjaldI paira bar3hAtA huA cala pdd'aa| __ avadhUta vezadhArI vikramAditya nagara ke daravAje se bAhara nikale, itane meM hI jyotiSI ke zabda sunAI par3e-'mahArAja! kRpA kara kucha tthhreN|' vikramAditya ne mur3akara dekhA aura jyotiSI ko Ate hue dekhakara vahIM ruka ge| jyotiSI ne nikaTa Akara kahA- 'mahAtman! Apako jAte hue dekhakara maiM daur3atA huA AyA huuN|' _ 'maiM to Apako nahIM jaantaa|' 'nahIM mahAtman ! maiM to AkRti ko dekhakara aayaa| Apa koI rAjayogI haiM, kRpAvatAra! ApakA Asana kahAM hai?' 'ramatA-rAma ke lie kaisA Asana? Aja hI AyA huuN| yahAM rAta bhara vizrAma kara calA jaauuNgaa|' 'to Apa merI jhoMpar3I para padhAreM-maiM ApakA svAgata kara puNyazAlI bnuuNgaa|' 'nahIM bhAI! maiM gRhasthoM ke yahAM nahIM jaataa|' 'maiM bhI phakkar3a hUM-ApakI hI bhAMti dezATana kara rahA huuN|' "to calo! sUryAsta ke pazcAt maiM jalapAna grahaNa nahIM kruuNgaa|' vikrama ne khaa| tatkAla donoM Age bar3ha ge| daravAje ke bAhara nikaTa meM hI jyotiSI kA nivAsa thaa| rahane ke lie kisI kA eka choTA-sA makAna mila gayA thaa| gata dasa dinoM se vaha yahIM raha rahA thaa| pAMca dinoM ke bAda vaha aura kisI nagara kI ora prasthAna karane vAlA thaa| jyotiSI ke makAna para donoM aae| jyotiSI ne avadhUta ko kucha miThAI dI, dUdha pilAyA aura jalapAna kraayaa| sUryAsta ho gyaa| vIra vikramAditya 6

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jyotiSI ne eka caukI para Asana bichAyA / vikramAditya ko usa para biThAkara pUchA - 'mahAtman! Apake lalATa kI rekhAoM ko dekhakara maiM camatkRta ho gayA huuN|' vikrama ne haMsate hue kahA - 'camatkRta hone jaisI kyA bAta hai ?' 'mahAtman ! camatkRta hone jaisI hI bAta hai| ApakI AkRti ne mere mana meM bhArI saMzaya paidA kara diyA hai| Apake mastaka para rAjamukuTa honA caahie| mujhe Azcarya ho rahA hai ki yaha saba kaise huA ?' vikrama ne prazna kiyA- 'mahArAja ! ApakA zubha nAma ?' 'maiM mAlava deza kA nivAsI huuN| maiM eka garIba brAhmaNa huuN| merA nAma haibhaTTA / maiM jaba pAMca varSa kA thA taba se abhyAsa kara rahA huuN|' 'bhaTTamAtra ? bar3A madhura nAma hai / ' 'kintu Apane mere prazna kA uttara dene kI kRpA nahIM kii| ApakI umra merI dRSTi meM bIsa varSa honI cAhie / ' 'bhaTTamAtrajI ! tyAgiyoM ko nAma kA moha nahIM hotA / bhUtakAla kA smaraNa karanA bhI tyAgiyoM ke lie zobhA nahIM detA / ' 'kRpAvatAra ! to mujhe puna: kAzI jAnA par3egA ?' 'kyoM?' 'merI vidyA aparipakva hai, aisA mAnakara !' 'bhAI ! vidyA to eka vizAla sAgara hai| vaha kabhI nyUna nahIM hotaa| vaha kabhI nahIM chalakatA - aura usako kevalI ke atirikta koI bhI nahIM jAna sktaa|' 'kevalI bhagavAna ?' 'hAM, bhaTTamAtrajI ! zramaNa saMskRti ke aMtima tIrthaMkara bhagavAn mahAvIra / ' 'to kyA Apa jaina darzana ke..... / ' 'sAdhu ko sabhI darzanoM kA abhyAsa karanA cAhie - sarva darzana kA sammAna rakhanA unakA karttavya hai / ' vikrama ne kahA / 'yogIzvara ! merI vidyA mujhe ApakA atirikta paricaya de rahI hai|' 'vidyA yA ApakA mana ?' bIca meM hI bhaTTamAtra ne kahA - 'mahArAja ! merI vidyA kabhI asatya nahIM huii| Apa uccakulotpanna rAjakumAra haiM aura ApakI AkRti meM mujhe rAjayoga dIkha rahA hai| Apa chipAte haiM, parantu bhAla para aMkita rekhAeM Apako chipA nahIM sktiiN|' vikrama ke hRdaya meM bhaTTamAtra ke prati bahuta sammAna paidA huaa| phira donoM ke bIca carcA huii| vikrama ne itanA sA kahA ki vaha eka rAjakumAra hai aura paryaTana ke lie nikalA hai / isake atirikta aura kucha bhI paricaya nahIM diyA / 1 10 vIra vikramAditya

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eka hI rAtri ke sahavAsa se donoM mitra bana gae aura vikramAditya eka rAta vahAM adhika tthhre| dUsare dina donoM eka sAtha pravAsa ke lie nikala pdd'e| 3. nirlobhI jaba do vyaktiyoM meM snehabharI maitrI hotI hai, taba paraspara vizvAsa kA satya aMkurita ho jAtA hai, phira mana kI koI bhI gupta bAta eka-dUsare se chipI bhI nahIM raha sktii| vikramAditya ne apane deza-niSkAsana kI vedanA ko barAbara pacAkara rakhA thaa| unhoMne apanA doSa dekhane kA bharapUra prayAsa kiyA, kintu koI doSa dikhAI nahIM diyaa| abhI unhoMne yauvana ke prathama sopAna para paira rakhA thA, kintu mana kabhI caMcala nahIM huA aura unhoMne kabhI kisI nArI ko vAsanA kI dRSTi se nahIM dekhA thaa| unake mana meM kisI nArI ne abhI sthAna nahIM jamAyA thaa| ve apane bar3e bhAI bhartahari kI chAyA meM eka abodha bAlaka kI bhAMti raha rahe the aura dhanurvidyA ko hastagata karane ke lie apanI zakti lagA rahe the| unheM yaha bhI smRti nahIM thI ki unhoMne kabhI bar3e bhAI yA bhAbhI kA tathA anya kisI kA apamAna kiyA ho| itanA hone para bhI deza-niSkAsana kA kAraNa kyA banA, yaha unheM jJAta nahIM ho sakA aura yaha prazna unake mana meM dabI Aga kI bhAMti par3A thaa| sthaMbhana tIrtha se ve bhaTTamAtra ke sAtha yAtrA para nikala par3e aura mArga meM ATha dina ke nikaTa sahavAsa se donoM kI maitrI dRr3ha huI aura eka dina vikramAditya ne apane deza-niSkAsana kI ghaTanA bhaTTamAtra ko batAte hue apanA pUrA paricaya de ddaalaa| bhaTTamAtra ne AkRti-vijJAna ke AdhAra para yaha nizcaya kara liyA thA ki ye avadhUta nahIM, koI rAjakumAra haiM-aura vikramAditya se pUrA paricaya sunakara bhaTTamAtra ko apanI vidyA kI satyatA para sAtvika saMtoSa huaa| bhaTTamAtra ko mAlava deza kI aneka ghaTanAeM jJAta thIM, para usane abhI taka avadhUta se unakI carcA nahIM kI thii| vikramAditya kA pUrA paricaya jAna lene ke pazcAt bhaTTamAtra ne avadhUta ke donoM hAtha pakar3akara kahA-"mitra! Aja merA mana zAnta huA hai-merA zAstra mujhe spaSTa rUpa se yaha batA rahA thA ki Apa avadhUta nahIM, eka rAjakumAra haiN|' 'ApakA zAstra satya sAbita huA na?' 'hAM, kintu mAlava deza kI Aja kyA sthiti hai, kyA Apane kucha sunA vIra vikramAditya 11

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'nahIM, bhaTTamAtra! aba mujhe usameM koI rasa nahIM hai| mere bar3e bhAI samartha haiM, isalie mAlava kI janatA kabhI du:khI nahIM ho sakatI, aisA merA aTUTa vizvAsa hai|' bhaTTamAtra kA mana huA ki vaha mAlava deza kI sArI sthiti avadhUta ke samakSa spaSTa kara de, kintu usane socA-sambhava hai mAlava kI sthiti kI viDambanA ko acAnaka sunakara avadhUta kA mana TUTa jaae| usane kahA-'mahArAja! janmabhUmi kA isa prakAra anaadr...|' bIca meM vikramAditya ne kahA- 'janmabhUmi ke prati mere mana meM jo anurAga hai, usako maiM hI jAnatA hUM, dUsarA nhiiN| maiM eka kSatriya huuN| bar3e bhAI ko jo maiMne vacana diyA hai, usakA lopa maiM kaise kara sakatA hUM?' 'dhanya haiM Apake mahApraNa ko!' 'mitra! maiMne dhanyavAda pAne ke lie apanA paricaya nahIM diyA hai....|' 'kRpAnAtha! maiMne dhanyavAda nirarthaka nahIM diyA hai| isa prakAra binA kisI hetu ke kisI ko deza-niSkAsana milatA hai, to vaha anyAya kA pratikAra karane ke lie AkAza-pAtAla eka kara detA hai-athavA zatru rAjA se milakara bhayaMkara yuddha bhar3akA detA hai-Apa ina sabase dUra rhe|' _ 'bhaTTamAtra! maiMne to apanA kartavya nibhAyA hai| pitA-tulya bar3e bhAI ke prati mana meM vaira jAge hI kyoM? aise vicAra to eka duSTa hI kara sakatA hai| mere bhAI buddhimAna, zAMta aura udAra haiN| mujhe deza-niSkAsana kI AjJA unhoMne dI, isakA kAraNa merI samajha meM nahIM aayaa| saMbhava hai ki ajJAta meM mere dvArA koI aparAdha ho gayA ho athavA mere azubha karmoM ke udaya se aisA ghaTita huA ho|' vikramAditya ne khaa| isa prakAra donoM bAteM karate-karate so ge| dUsare dina prAta:pravAsa para calanA thaa| donoM utthe| snAna Adi se nivRtta hokara pravAsa ke lie taiyAra hue| itane meM hI bhaTTamAtra ne kahA- 'mahArAja!..... bIca meM Tokate hue vikramAditya ne kahA- 'tuma mujhe mahArAja mata kho| maiM to tumhArA mitra aura avadhUta huuN|' __'mujhe ApakI bhAgya rekhAeM saba kucha batA jAtI haiM-Apa kisI mahAn rAjya ke adhipati banane vAle haiN| itanA hI nahIM, Apa eka zaktizAlI aura samartha mahApuruSa hoMge-phira bhI maiM avadhUta hI khuuNgaa|' bhaTTamAtra bolaa| 'acchA bolo, tuma kyA kahanA cAhate ho?' ___ 'yahAM se dasa kosa kI dUrI para rohaNAcala parvata hai-parvata choTA hai, para vahAM eka khANI-parvatIya darAra cAmatkArika hai| koI bhI manuSya hA daiva, hA daiva' 12 vIra vikramAditya

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isa prakAra tIna bAra kahakara usameM eka patthara pheMkatA hai to tatkAla usa khANI se eka mUlyavAn ratna usa manuSya ke caraNoM meM A giratA hai|' bhaTTamAtra ne khaa| 'tuma merA parihAsa mata karo-aisA Azcarya kevala daMtakathAoM meM hI hai|' 'maiM saca kahatA huuN|' 'para yaha bAta mAnane meM nahIM aatii|' 'tohama usa ora caleM, mArgakucha laMbA hai, para mere kathana kI pratIti hojaaegii|' 'acchA, hamArA uddezya hI hai ghuumnaa|' vikramAditya ne khaa| aura donoM rohaNAcala parvata kI ora cala pdd'e| mArga meM eka choTA-sA gAMva aayaa| donoM ne vahAM bhojana kiyA aura kucha vizrAma kara Age prasthAna kara diyaa| madhyAhna ke pazcAt ve donoM eka gAMva meM pahuMca gae, jo rohaNAcala parvata kI talahaTI meM basA huA thaa| kaSAya vastradhArI yuvaka tathA tejasvI avadhUta ko gAMva meM AyA huA jAnakara loga bhaktibhAva se prerita hokara ekatrita hue aura donoM ko eka devAlaya meM tthhraayaa| gAMva ke saMbhrAnta logoM ne unheM bhojana kA nimantraNa diyaa| bhaTTamAtra ne unheM sacita kara diyA ki mahAtmA sUryAsta ke pazcAt anna-jala grahaNa nahIM karate, isalie logoM ne unheM sUryAsta se pUrva bhojana se nivRtta kara diyaa| rAta ke samaya gAMva ke strI-puruSa mahAtmA kI vANI sunane ke lie devAlaya meM ekatrita hue| avadhUta vezadhArI vikramAditya ne upasthita janatA ko dharmopadeza diyA aura durAcAra se dUra rahane kI sIkha dii| __gAMva ke nara-nArI upadeza se saMtuSTa hue| do-cAra bhajana-gAyakoM ne bhajana gaayaa| eka vRddha puruSa ne avadhUta se bhajana gAne kA anurodha kiyaa| vikramAditya ne eka bhajana-gAyaka se taMbUrA lekara usake donoM tAroM kA SaDja aura paMcama-svara meM saMdhAna kara, 'dezarAga' meM prabhu-kIrtana kA eka sarasa bhajana prastuta kiyaa| zAstrIya gIta, hRdayavedhaka rAga aura naujavAna yogI kA ati madhura svara! gAMva ke loga dhanya-dhanya ho ge| aura donoM pravAsI pazcima rAtri meM usa gAMva se prasthAna kara rohaNAcala kI ora cala pdd'e| sUryodaya hote-hote donoM usa parvatIya darAra ke pAsa pahuMca ge| parvata adhika UMcA nahIM thA, kintu usakI car3hAI kaThina pratIta ho rahI thI aura vaha darAra aisI laga rahI thI, mAno ki vaha pAtAla taka pahuMca gaI ho| vIra vikramAditya 13

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bhaTTamAtra ne kahA-'Apa eka patthara pheMkakara merI bAta kI parIkSA kara leN|' vikramAditya ne eka patthara hAtha meM lekara kahA- 'patthara pheMkane meM mujhe koI Apatti nahIM hai, kintu maiM 'hA daiva-hA daiva' aisA nahIM khuuNgaa|' 'itanA to Apako kahanA hI pdd'egaa|' 'nahIM, mitra! maiM isa prakAra dInatA nahIM dikhA sktaa| tIna loka ke rAjya kI prApti bhI hotI ho, to bhI saccA kSatriya isa prakAra dInatA nahIM dikhA sktaa| tuma patthara pheMko, mujhe vizvAsa ho jaaegaa|' 'mitra! manuSya ko jIvana meM eka hI bAra yahAM lAbha prApta hotA hai| bhAgya maMda bhale hI ho, para eka ratna to mila hI jAtA hai| maiMne apane bhAgya kI parIkSA kI hai|' vikramAditya ne hAtha meM patthara ko Upara-nIce karate hue kahA- 'maiM dIna banakara ratna prApta nahIM karanA caahtaa|' bhaTTamAtra vicAramagna ho gyaa| usane eka yukti nikaalii| vaha bolA-'to phira Apa patthara pheNkeN| dekhate haiM, kyA camatkAra hotA hai|' vikramAditya ne tatkAla usa darAra meM patthara pheNkaa| usI samaya bhaTTamAtra bola par3A- 'mahArAja! eka du:khada samAcAra maiM Apako batA nahIM sakA-avaMtI kI mahArAnI anaMgasenA ne AtmahatyA kara apanI ihalIlA samApta kara ddaalii|' ye zabda sunate hI vikramAditya ne 'hA daiva!', 'hA daiva!', 'hA daiva!' khaa| aura usI kSaNa usa parvatIya darAra se eka ratna uchalA aura vikramAditya ke pairoM ke pAsa A giraa| ratna tejasvI thA-cakravartI ke bhaNDAra meM bhI aisA mUlyavAna ratna prApta honA durlabha thaa| vaha sUrya ke samAna camaka rahA thaa| bhaTTamAtra ne kahA- 'mahArAja! Apake dvArA 'hA daiva! hA daiva!' kA uccAraNa ho, isIlie maiMne vaha samAcAra kahA thaa| dekhA isa darAra meM rahane vAle adRzya deva kA camatkAra! zreSTha aura Apake bhAgya kA abhinandana karane vAlA ratna Apake caraNoM meM par3A hai|' 'oha!' kahate hue vikramAditya ne ratna ko uThAyA aura usako puna: darAra meM pheMkate hue kahA- 'ratna dene vAle deva! maiM isa ratna ko svIkAra nahIM kara sktaa| dInatA se yAcanA karanA kisI bhI kSatriya ko zobhA nahIM detA aura tumhArI dAnabhAvanA bhI yahAM niSphala siddha huI hai| tumhAre samakSa jo dIna banatA hai, use hI tuma ratnadAna karate ho, yaha tumhAre devatva kI zobhA nahIM hai aura tumhArI udAratA kI tejasvitA bhI nahIM hai|' 14 vIra vikramAditya

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bhaTTamAtra Azcaryacakita raha gyaa| vaha bola par3A- 'mahArAja! Apane yaha kyA kara DAlA? aisA divya rtn....|' bIca meM hI vikramAditya ne kahA- 'tumheM to mere bhAgya kI parIkSA karanI thI, vaha pUrI ho gaI-avadhUta ratna aura kaMkar3a meM koI antara nahIM dekhtaa|' 'mahArAja! vAstava meM hI Apa mahAn haiN|' 'mahAnto tuma ho| merI parIkSA karane ke lie tumane aisA samAcAra kahA ki mujhe hA daiva! hA daiva! kahanA pdd'aa|' donoM vahAM se mur3e aura anyatra pahuMcane ke lie prasthAna kara diyaa| do dina ke parvatIya bhUmi ke pravAsa ke pazcAt ve rAjamArga para pahuMca ge| calate-calate ve eka choTe se gAMva ke pAsa aae| sAMjha ho rahI thii| gAMva ke nikaTa hI eka nadI bahatI thii| donoM ne pAtheya kA bhojana kiyA aura jalapAna kara nivRtta ho ge| vahAM se ve gAMva meM na jAkara vahIM eka zivAlaya kI caukI para rAta bitAne ke lie baiTha ge| rAtrikAla prArambha ho gayA thaa| donoM paraspara vArtAlApa karate-karate vahIM so ge| bhaTTamAtra ke pAsa eka cAdara bichAne ke lie aura eka or3hane ke lie thii| vikramAditya ke pAsa eka mRgacarma aura eka UnI zAla thii| donoM ke lie sAdhana paryApta the| ___ madhyarAtri kA samaya / acAnaka bhaTTamAtra kI AMkha khulii| usake kAnoM se eka siyAla kI AvAja ttkraaii| vaha dhyAna se sunane lgaa| vaha khar3A huA aura cAroM ora dRSTi daudd'aaii| aMdhakAra saghana thaa| kucha bhI nahIM dIkha rahA thaa| anajAnI dharatI-vaha asamaMjasa meM par3a gyaa| usane vikramAditya ko jagAnA cAhA, kintu vikramAditya jAga cuke the aura ve bhaTTamAtra ko dekha rahe the| unhoMne kahA-'mitra! acAnaka nIMda kaise ur3a gaI ?' 'acchA huA, Apa jAga gae, maiM Apako jagAne hI vAlA thaa|' 'kyA koI bhaya hai?' 'nahIM, eka acchA zakuna prApta huA hai-Apa utthe|' 'kyA hameM abhI prasthAna karanA hogA?' 'hAM, mahArAja! abhI-abhI eka siyAla bola rahA thaa| usakA Azaya thA ki isa nadI meM eka strI kA zava tairatA huA A rahA hai-usa zava ke gale meM navalakhA hAra hai, aura bhI aneka alaMkAra haiN|' 'kyA siyAla ne yaha bAta batAI hai?' 'hAM, isIlie maiM jAga gyaa|' vIra vikramAditya 15

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'kyA tuma pazu-pakSiyoM kI bhASA jAnate ho?' 'hAM, mahArAja!' vikramAditya ne khar3e hokara kahA-'acchA to calo, hama siyAla ke zabdoM kI parIkSA kara leN| donoM nadI kI ora cala pdd'e| lagabhaga eka ghaTikA paryanta nadI ke kinAre calate-calate vikramAditya kI dRSTi eka patthara para pdd'ii| usakA prakAza zukra ke tAre jaisA thaa| vikramAditya aMgulI-nirdezapUrvaka bhaTTamAtra se bole-"mitra! sAmane koI padArtha camakatA-sA najara A rahA hai|' donoM usa ora cle| nikaTatA se dekhane para lagA ki nadI ke pravAha meM bahakara eka navayuvatI kA zava usa caTTAna ke pAsa aTaka gayA hai aura usake gale meM pahane hue hAra ke ratnoM meM tAroM kA pratibimba par3a rahA hai| bhaTTamAtra bola par3A-'mahArAja! siyAla ne satya hI kahA thaa| yaha strI kisI durghaTanA kI zikAra huI lagatI hai athavA naukA ulaTa gaI hogii| aba Apa isake zarIra ke AbhUSaNa le leN| anAyAsa hI itanA dhana binA bhAgya ke prApta nahIM hotaa|' vikrama bolA- 'mitra ! tuma bahuta guNavAn ho| kintu maiM mare hue vyakti ke alaMkAra nahIM le sktaa| tuma hI le aao| tumhArA dAridraya dUra ho jaaegaa|' ___ bhaTTamAtra bolA-'mahArAja! mere jaise garIba brAhmaNa ke pAsa aise mUlyavAn AbhUSaNoM ko dekhakara loga mujhe cora smjheNge| Apa hI inheM le leN|' "mitra! nahIM, nhiiN| maiM aisA bhAgyavAn bananA nahIM caahtaa| mujhe aisA ucchiSTa dhana nahIM caahie|' donoM tatkAla vahAM se lauTa pdd'e| bhaTTamAtra ko vikrama kI nirlobhatA dekhakara bahuta harSa huaa| Age calatecalate vikramAditya ne kahA-'tuma koI zakuna kI bAta kaha rahe thena.....?' 'hAM, mahArAja! merI vaha bAta bIca meM hI raha gaI thii| yadi hama ekAdha ghaTikA meM prasthAna kara dete haiM to donoM meM se kisI eka ko rAjayoga honA saMbhava hai|' 'to hama calate jAeM', vikramAditya ne khaa| donoM sAthI maMdira meM Ae aura apanA-apanA sAmAna lekara vahAM se cala pdd'e| 4. avaMtI meM. avadhUta vezadhArI yuvarAja vikramAditya aura bhaTTamAtra-donoM pandraha dinoM ke bhItara mAlava pradeza kI sImA ke pAsa A phuNce| eka nadI ke kinAre donoM ne snAnabhojana kiyA aura eka vRkSa ke nIce vizrAma karane ke lie leTa ge| 16 vIra vikramAditya

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bhaTTamAtra bolA- 'mahArAja! maiMne eka bAta Apase nahIM khii| kintu nadI ke usa dUsare taTa se mAlava deza kI rAjya-sImA prArambha hotI haiM, isalie maiM vaha bAta Apako batA denA cAhatA huuN|' 'bolo, kyA bAta hai?' 'maiM bhI mAlava deza kA nivAsI huuN| merA gAMva yahAM se dasa kosa kI dUrI para hI hai| avaMtI yahAM se sATha kosa dUra hogii| merI prArthanA hai ki Apa rAjadhAnI kI ora pdhaareN|' 'nahIM, mitra ! merI uttarapradeza kI ora jAne kI icchA hai| maiM avaMtI jAnA nahIM caahtaa|' 'kintu mahArAja! jAnA hogA hii| kyoMki avaMtI kA rAjasiMhAsana ApakI pratIkSA kara rahA hai|' ___ 'maiM nahIM samajha skaa|' 'avaMtI ke viSaya meM maiMne aneka bAteM sunI haiN| mahAdevI ke prati mahArAja bhartRhari kA apAra prema thaa| kintu mahAdevI anaMgasenA usa prema kI pUjA nahIM kara skii| vaha azvapAla nAmaka eka mahAvata ke premajAla meM phaMsa gii| mahArAja bhartRhari ne jaba yaha jAnA taba se ve TUTa ge| unako bahuta bar3A AghAta lagA aura ve rAjya kA tyAga kara, kaSAya vastra dhAraNa kara cale ge| mahAdevI anaMgasenA ne dUsare hI dina AtmahatyA kara prANa de ddaale| tatpazcAt avaMtI ke rAjasiMhAsana kI vicitra sthiti bana gii| jinhoMne usa siMhAsana para baiThane kA prayatna kiyA, ve dUsare hI dina mauta ke muMha meM phaMsate gae-isa paristhiti meM yadi Apa vahAM zIghra nahIM pahuMcate haiM to bahuta ahitakara hogaa|' bhaTTamAtra ne khaa| vikramAditya avAk raha ge| do kSaNa bAda ve bole- 'bhaTTamAtra ! yaha bAta mAnane yogya nahIM lgtii|' 'mahArAja! saMsAra meM aneka asaMbhava bAteM bhI ghaTita hotI haiN| ApakA deza se niSkAsana hogA, kyA aisA koI mAna sakatA thA?' vikramAditya vicAramagna ho ge| bhaTTamAtra ne kahA-'siyAla ne jo zakuna kahA hai, vaha kabhI asatya nahIM hogaa| Apa ni:saMdeha rUpa se avaMtI kI ora prasthAna kreN|' 'aura tuma?' 'maiM apane gAMva meM jaauuNgaa| vRddha mAtA-pitA ko dekhe tIna varSa ho gae haiN| patnI bhI to pratIkSA karatI hogii|' vIra vikramAditya 17

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'oha mitra! tumhArA paricaya pAkara mujhe bahuta Ananda huA hai| tumhAre binA maiM kaise raha pAUMgA? acchA, tuma mujhe puna: kaba miloge?' 'jaba bhI Apa mujhe yAda kreNge|' bhaTTamAtra bolaa| 'rAjasiMhAsana to bahuta dUra kI bAta hai, maiM pahale paristhiti ko jAnane kA prayAsa kruuNgaa| kyA-kyA ghaTita huA hai, vaha jaanuuNgaa| yadi maiM rAjA banA to tumheM mahAmaMtrI bnaauuNgaa|' vikramAditya ne khaa| isa prakAra bhaviSya kI yojanA banAte-banAte donoM vizrAma kara Age prasthita ho ge| jahAM se apane gAMva kA mArga, mUla rAste se bhinna par3atA thA, vahAM Akara bhaTTamAtra bolA-'mahArAja! yaha hai mere gAMva kA mArga-kintu acchA hotA yadi Apa apanA veza badala lete|' 'paristhiti ke kAraNa mujhe yaha veza bahuta anukUla lagatA hai|' vikramAditya ne khaa| 'mahArAja! maiM Apako apane gAMva nahIM le jaauuNgaa| kyoMki jitanI jaldI Apa avaMtI pahuMcate haiM, utanA hI acchA hai|' donoM sAthI vahAM se alaga ho ge| avaMtI nagarI meM nirAzA chA cukI thii| agnivaitAla ke upadravoM ke kAraNa koI bhI vyakti rAjasiMhAsana para baiThanA nahIM cAhatA thaa| vikramAditya kI khoja karane ke lie gae hue sabhI vyakti khAlI hAtha lauTa Ae the| atyanta nipuNa aura pAtAla se bhI aparAdhI ko khoja nikAlane vAle guptacara bhI nirAza lauTa Ae the| eka guptacara kevala itanA samAcAra lA sakA thA ki yuvarAja apanA azva eka yuvaka ko sauMpa, apane zastrAstra vahIM rakhakara, kaSAya vastra dhAraNa kara cala par3e the| vahAM se ve kisI Azrama meM jAkara sAdhuoM ke sAtha mila gae the| ina samAcAroM se maMtrigaNa aura adhika asamaMjasa meM par3a ge| rAjasiMhAsana para par3I huI kisI duSTadeva kI kudRSTi ko dUra karane ke lie maMtriyoM ne dUra-dUra se maMtra-taMtra meM niSNAta vyaktiyoM ko AmaMtrita kara zAntipATha, caNDIpATha, homa, bali, mahApUjA Adi aneka anuSThAna karAe, phira bhI logoM kA bhaya dUra nahIM ho pA rahA thA aura koI bhI vyakti rAjasiMhAsana para baiThane ke lie taiyAra nahIM ho pA rahA thaa| . mauta ko svIkAra karane ke lie kauna taiyAra ho? manuSya ko kitanA hI lAbha kyoM na milatA ho, kitanI hI bar3I sattA kyoM na hastagata hotI ho, kitanA hI bar3A 18 vIra vikramAditya

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pada kyoM na prApta hotA ho, para yadi vaha mRtyu kA vAhaka banatA hai to koI bhI manuSya usa sukha ko nahIM caahegaa| mahAmaMtrI buddhisAgara ne maMtrimaMDala tathA gaNyamAnya nAgarikoM ke samakSa sArI paristhiti ko spaSTa karate hue kahA- 'sabase bar3I kaThinAI yaha hai ki itane vizAla rAjya kI bAgaDora saMbhAlane ke lie koI taiyAra nahIM hai| mahArAja bhartRhari kisI bhI avasthA meM lauTanA nahIM caahte| ve rAjya kI carcA taka nahIM karate aura sadA parama vairAgya meM magna rahate haiN| yuvarAjazrI kahAM haiM, kyA kara rahe haiM-kucha bhI jJAta nahIM ho pA rahA hai| kevala itanI jAnakArI prApta ho sakI hai ki ve kisI Azrama meM dIkSita ho cuke haiN| isa sthiti meM aba kyA karanA cAhie ? rAjasiMhAsana sUnA par3A rahe, yaha kisI bhI sthiti meM ucita nahIM kahA jA sktaa|' eka nAgarika ne pUchA-'siMhAsana para jisa deva kI kudRSTi par3I hai, usa deva ko tRpta karane kA kyA koI upAya nahIM hai?' __maMtrIzvara bole- 'jo kucha hama kara sakate the, saba kucha kiyA jA cukA hai| pretavidyA meM niSNAta vyaktiyoM ne yahI kahA hai ki vaha deva kisI ke vaza meM nahIM A sktaa|' 'kintu hamAre deza meM aneka tapasvI sAdhu-mahAtmA haiM, jinake AzIrvAda se yaha upadrava zAnta ho sakatA hai| hameM una mahAtmAoM kI zaraNa lenI caahie| anta meM eka upAya zeSa raha jAtA hai ki hathinI jisa vyakti para kalaza uMDele usI vyakti ko rAjA ke rUpa meM svIkAra kara lenA caahie|' nagaraseTha ne khaa| nagaraseTha ke vicAra kucha yuktipUrNa lge| maMtriyoM ne aneka sAdhu-saMnyAsiyoM se AzIrvAda prApta karane kA prayAsa kiyaa| unhIM dinoM avaMtI nagarI meM eka jaina tapasvI muni kA Agamana huaa| mahAmaMtrI buddhisAgara ne nagaraseTha se tapasvI muni kI bAta khii| nagaraseTha bolA'eka tapasvI muni ne apane ziSyoM ke sAtha kala hI nagara meM praveza kiyA hai|' 'to phira hama unake darzana ke lie caleM'-yaha kahakara donoM usa ora cala pdd'e| nagaraseTha ne kahA- 'maMtrIzvara ! jaina muni ina saba sAMsArika bAtoM meM rasa nahIM lete|' 'hama eka bAra cleN| saMbhava hai, sArI bAta jJAta kara ve kucha pasIja jaaeN|' maMtrIzvara ne khaa| munizrI jayavardhana vRddha the| ghora tapasvI the-unake donoM ziSya vidvAn, tejasvI aura saumya the| vIra vikramAditya 16

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mahAmaMtrI aura nagaraseTha jaba upazamAgAra meM pahuMce taba divasa kA dUsarA prahara pUrA nahIM huA thA / munizrI jayavardhana kI tapasyA kA Aja sAtavAM dina thaa| unake donoM ziSya gocarI karane ke lie cale gae the / nagaraseTha aura mahAmaMtrI ne munizrI ko vaMdanA kii| munizrI ne dharmalAbha kahakara nagaraseTha se pUchA - 'seThajI ! kyA dharmArAdhanA kI pravRtti cala rahI hai ?' 'ApakI kRpA se mArga sthira hai', kahakara nagaraseTha nIce jamIna para baiTha ge| mahAmaMtrI bhI vahIM baiTha ge| nagaraseTha ne mahAmaMtrI kA paricaya dekara munizrI se kahA- 'munizrI ! avaMtI ke mahAmaMtrI eka bAta pUchanA cAhate haiM ?' mahAmaMtrI kI ora dRSTi kara munizrI ne kahA - 'bolo...... '' mahAmaMtrI ne avaMtI ke rAjasiMhAsana kI apadazA aura Aja taka kiye gae prayatnoM ko saMkSepa meM kaha sunaayaa| munizrI sArA vRttAnta zAnta bhAva se sunate rahe / mahAmaMtrI ne kahA- 'munIzvara ! Apa utkaTa tapasvI haiN| Apa zakti-sampanna haiN| maiM Apake pAsa isa AzA ke sAtha AyA hUM ki avaMtI ke rAjasiMhAsana para jo krUra dRSTi lagI huI hai, vaha dUra ho jAe aura rAjya kI cintA samApta ho, aisA koI upAya Apa btaaeN| Apa jaise mahApuruSoM ke AzIrvAda se vighna kA avazya nivAraNa hogA, isI zraddhA se maiM zrIcaraNoM meM upasthita huA huuN| munizrI jayavardhana kucha kSaNoM taka mauna rahe aura phira bole- 'maMtrIzvara ! Apane dhairyapUrvaka itane samaya taka rAjya kA saMcAlana kiyA hai| upadrava kA nimitta bhI hotA hai aura usakI maryAdA bhI hotI hai| yaha sArA karma nimittaja hai| jaina muni ina sAre sAMsArika Arambha-samAraMbhoM meM rasa nahIM lete| unake mahAvratoM kI yaha maryAdA hai| ' 'munizrI ! maiM yaha jAnatA huuN| nagaraseTha ne mujhe sArA batA diyA thA, kintu hama saba puruSArtha kara thaka gae haiN| yadi isa vighna ke nivAraNa kA koI upAya hastagata nahIM huA to yaha mahArAjya naSTa-bhraSTa ho jaaegaa| koI zatru - rAjA isa para AkramaNa kara sAre rAjya kI janatA ko kaSTa meM DAla degaa| kisI bhI prakAra yaha rAjya surakSita raha jAe aura janatA sukha-zAntipUrvaka jI sake, isIlie maiM Apake caraNoM meM upasthita huA hUM / ' I munizrI ne muskarAkara kahA - ' bhAgyavAn ! cintA kI bAta nahIM hai dharmArAdhanA meM citta ko sthira karo / pratyeka kaSTadazA meM dharma hI trANa hotA hai| rAjasiMhAsana kA prazna svataH samAhita ho jaaegaa| tuma jo kaThinAI anubhava kara rahe ho, usakA aMta kisI avadhUta ke hAtha se hogA / ' 20 vIra vikramAditya

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ye zabda sunakara mahAmaMtrI buddhisAgara munizrI ke caraNoM meM luTa gae aura bole'mahAtman ! vaha avadhUta hameM kahAM milegA ?' munizrI mauna raha muskarA die| nagaraseTha ne puna: vaMdanA kii| mahAmaMtrI se kahA - 'maMtrIzvara ! jaina muni isase adhika nahIM batA sakeMge, unakI maryAdA hai| hameM dattacitta hokara dharmArAdhanA meM laga jAnA cAhie - dhIraja se sAre kArya sampanna hoMge / ' donoM praNAma kara bAhara aae| ratha meM baiThane ke bAda nagaraseTha ne kahA - 'munizrI ne bahuta spaSTatA se kaha DAlA hai - kisI avadhUta ke yoga se rAjasiMhAsana kI bAdhA dUra hogii|' 'to phira hama.... / ' 'mahApuruSa ke vacanoM para zraddhA rakhakara hameM kucha dinoM taka pratIkSA karanI caahie|' nagaraseTha ne kahA / dasa dina bIta gae aura nagarI meM eka naujavAna, tejasvI avadhUta ne praveza kiyaa| usake dedIpyamAna lalATa ko dekhakara sAre natamastaka ho jAte the / usane ziprA nadI ke taTa para sthita mahAkAla ke mandira kI dharmazAlA meM apanA Asana bichaayaa| isa tejasvI avadhUta ke Agamana kI bAta mahAmaMtrI ke kAnoM taka phuNcii| ina dasa dinoM meM aneka saMnyAsI aura mahAtmA avaMtI meM Ae the, para avadhUta ke Agamana kA samAcAra pahalI bAra hI milA thA / mahAmaMtrI tatkAla nagaraseTha ke yahAM gae aura unheM sAtha le mahAkAla mahAdeva kI dharmazAlA meM phuNce| avadhUta vezadhArI vikramAditya usa dharmazAlA ke maidAna meM eka vaTavRkSa ke cAroM ora bane cabUtare para mRgacarma para baiThe the| unakI dAr3hI bahuta laMbI thii| sira kI jaTA bhI saghana thI / unakI AMkheM tejasvI aura bhavya kapAla para bhabhUti lagI huI thI / vizAla bAhu, pracaNDa chAtI, sazakta aura sapramANa zarIra - koI bhI vyakti isa naujavAna avadhUta ko namana kie binA nahIM raha sakA / jaise tAroM ke svalpa prakAza meM candra nahIM chipa sakatA, vaise hI vikramAditya lAkhoM meM dedIpyamAna ho rahe the| mahAmaMtrI aura nagaraseTha donoM isa bhavya aura sundara avadhUta ke nikaTa Ae / avadhUta ne donoM ko pahacAna liyA, para ve donoM apane yuvarAja ko pahacAna nahIM ske| donoM ne praNAma kiyA aura vahIM khar3e raha ge| vikramAditya ne eka hAtha uThakAra unheM AzIrvAda diyaa| vIra vikramAditya 21

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nagaraseTha ne kahA- 'mahAtman! Apa ekAnta meM pdhaareN| hameM eka bAta kahanI hai|' 'gagana kI chAMha meM saba ekAntahI ekAnta hai| jo kucha kahanA ho, yahIM kho|' avadhUta ne teja svara meM khaa| 'mahArAja! maiM isa nagara kA nagaraseTha hUM aura ye hamAre mahAmaMtrI haiN|' 'Apa koI bhI hoM, hameM kyA? hama to mastarAma haiM-jo kahanA ho kaho, nahIM to calate bno|' vikramAditya ne khaa| ___ nagaraseTha ko lagA ki avadhUta naujavAna hai, para hai bahuta tejasvI / yadi hama adhika haTha kareMge to kahIM nArAja na ho jaae| mahAmaMtrI ne kahA- 'mahAtman ! yahAM mujhe bAta karane meM koI bAdhA nahIM haikintu bAta kucha aisI hai ki usako kahane meM samaya laga sakatA hai| yadi Apa kRpA kareM to hamArA kalyANa ho jaae|' ___ 'acchaa| kintu hama nagarI meM nahIM jaaeNge| ekAnta meM calanA ho to nadI ke kinAre clo|' nagaraseTha aura mahAmaMtrI Anandita ho ge| tInoM nadI kI ora cala pdd'e| 5. avadhUta mahArAja ziprA nadI kA taTa! nadI bhavya aura bharI-pUrI thii| yaha nadI eka dUsarI bar3I nadI se milakara sAgara taka pahuMcatI thii| avantI madhya meM thI, isalie jalapota dvArA vyApAra bhI hotA thaa| ziprA kevala tIrtha-rUpa hI nahIM thI, vaha avantI ke vyApAra kI mAtA ke samAna thii| avadhUta vezadhArI vikramAditya, nagaraseTha aura mahAmaMtrI buddhisAgara ke sAtha ziprA nadI ke taTa para Ae aura eka vRkSa ke nIce mRgacarma bichAkara baiTha ge| mahAmaMtrI aura nagaraseTha bhI unake samakSa retI meM baiTha ge| usa samaya ziprA ke jala-pravAha meM do mAlavAhI naukAeM mukhya ghATa kI ora bar3ha rahI thiiN| ghATa kucha dUra thaa| vikramAditya bolA-'kaho, kyA kahanA hai?' mahAmaMtrI ne mAlava deza ke rAjasiMhAsana para kisI duSTa deva kI chAyA kA pUrA vRttAnta sunaayaa| 22 vIra vikramAditya .

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pUrI bAta zAMta bhAva se sunane ke pazcAt vikramAditya ne mana hI mana socA - are ! jisa nArI ke prati mahArAja bhartRhari ko itanA saghana prema thA, vaha nArI aMta meM aisI nikalI aura usI ke kAraNa mujhe deza- niSkAsana kA abhizApa milA / avadhUta ko vicAramagna dekhakara nagaraseTha ne kahA - 'mahAtman ! isa paristhiti ke nivAraNa kA koI upAya hai ?' 'mahArAjA bhartRhari ko Apa kyoM nahIM bulA lete ?' 'hamane aneka prayatna kie haiM... kintu ve sarvatyAga ke patha para hI sthira rahanA cAhate haiM / ' 'acchA to maiM kyA kara sakatA hUM ?' 'Apa samartha haiM....jo cAhe so kara sakate haiM.... Apa kRpA kara hamAre rAjya kA uddhAra kareM / ' vikramAditya vicAramagna ho ge| nagaraseTha aura mahAmaMtrI kA mana kucha AzAvAna huA / kucha kSaNoM bAda vikramAditya bole- 'guru kI kRpA se saba ThIka ho jaaegaa| mAlava deza ke rAja-siMhAsana para mujhe baiThanA pdd'egaa| jaba Apake yuvarAja AeMge, taba maiM calA jaauuNgaa|' mahAmaMtrI aura nagaraseTha atyanta prasanna hue| mahAmaMtrI ne avadhUta ke donoM paira pakar3akara kahA- 'mahAtman! Apane hama para bahuta kRpA kI hai.... aba Apa hamAre sAtha rAjabhavana meM caleM / ' 'nahIM, mahAmaMtrIjI ! maiM dharmazAlA meM hI rahUMgA.... Apa saba sarvAnumati se nizcaya kara mujhe lene AeM, yahI merI zarta hai| Apake yuvarAja ke Ate hI maiM rAjya chor3akara calA jaauuNgaa|' vikramAditya ne kahA / mahAmaMtrI bolA- 'Apa cintA na kareM..... hama saba sahamata haiN|' 'phira bhI Apako prayatna karanA caahie| sarvAnumati se mujhe bhI prasannatA hogii|' aisA hI huA / tInoM vahAM se uThe / vikramAditya dharmazAlA meM cale gae aura nagaraseTha tathA mahAmaMtrI ratha meM baiThakara cala pdd'e| mahAmaMtrI ne usI rAta ko sabhI rAjaparivAra ke logoM, maMtriyoM, senAnAyakoM, gaNyamAnya nAgarikoM ko bulAkara sArI bAta batAI / eka vyakti ne kahA- 'mahAmaMtrIjI ! eka yogI ko rAjagaddI para biThAnA koI Apattijanaka bAta nahIM hai / kintu isa zApita siMhAsana para baiThate hI yogI kI bala ho jAegI / ' vIra vikramAditya 23

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nagaraseTha ne kahA- 'hamane yogI ko sArA vRttAnta, atha se iti taka, batA diyA hai| kucha bhI gupta nahIM rkhaa| usake pAsa koI zakti hogI, isIlie usane yaha svIkAra kiyA hai|' mahAmaMtrI ne bhI kahA- 'yogI dikhane meM bar3A pratApI aura tejasvI lagatA hai| vaha yuvA bhI hai| tapasvI munizrI ne bhI aisA hI upAya batAyA thaa|' sabhI sahamata ho ge| usI rAta yogI avadhUta ko rAjabhavana meM lAyA gyaa| yogI bhavana meM praveza na kara pAsa vAle upavana meM eka caukI para Asana bichAkara baiTha ge| sabhI ne rAjabhavana meM calane ke lie Agraha kiyaa| yogI ne itanA mAtra kahA- 'rAjagaddI para baiThane ke bAda maiM bhavana meM praveza kruuNgaa|' rAjapurohita ne muhUrta dekhaa| do dina pazcAt zubha muhUrta thA.....purohita ne vaha muhUrta maMtriyoM ko btaayaa| sabhI usakI taiyArI meM laga gae....nagarI meM bhI yaha bAta phaila gaI thI ki eka avadhUta mAlava deza kA rAjA bnegaa| sabako Azcarya huA, para rAjA kI prApti para sarvatra Ananda kI lahara daur3a gyii| avadhUta rAjA kA vardhApana karane ke lie loga apane-apane bhavanoM ko sajAne lage, bAjAra ko toraNadvAroM se maMDita karane lge| avantI ke mukhya sthAnoM para kalApUrNa maNDapa, toraNadvAra tathA dIpakoM ke prakAza ke lie vyavasthAeM kI giiN| ___ eka rAtri mAtra zeSa raha gaI thii| dUsare dina prAta:kAla vidhipUrvaka avadhUta kA rAjyAbhiSeka honA thaa| avadhUta kA mana aneka vicAroM se Andolita hone lgaa| usane socA-jisa duSTa deva kI rAjasiMhAsana para chAyA hai aura jo usa para baiThane vAle ko mAra DAlatA hai, usa duSTa deva ke sAtha mujhe kisa prakAra lar3anA hogA? maiMne maMtrIzvara ke prastAva ko binA soce-samajhe svIkAra kara liyA hai| maiMne eka balazAlI ke sAtha bhir3ane kA dussAhasa kiyA hai| kala kI rAta mere jIvana kI antima rAta ho sakatI hai...maiMne yaha khatarA kyoM liyA? aba koI dUsarA upAya nahIM hai| maiM kSatriya huuN| kucha bhI kyoM na ho, mujhe apane vacana kA pAlana karanA hI hai| mana ko nirbala banAnA zobhA nahIM detaa| maMtriyoM ne apane rAjasiMhAsana ke vighna ko samApta karane ke lie mujhe cunA hai....ve saba mAnate haiM ki mere pAsa koI maMtrazakti hai, koI vizeSa sAdhanA hai, athavA bhUta-preta ko vaza meM karane kI mere meM labdhi hai| becAre maMtrigaNa! isake badale maiM apanA vAstavika paricaya de detA to? aba kyA ho? abhI taka mujhe koI pahacAna nahIM sakA hai| merA priya sevaka rAjabhavana meM ho, aisA pratIta nahIM hotaa| vaha anyathA mujhe avazya pahacAna letaa| aba koI upAdhi yA cintA kie binA mujhe sAhasa ko banAe rakhanA hai aura antima kSaNa taka manobala 24 vIra vikramAditya

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ko majabUta rakhanA hai| jahAM sAhasa aura manobala hotA hai, vahAM siddhi avazya milatI hai| ina vicAroM meM DUbatA - utaratA huA avadhUta vikramAditya usI caukI para nidrAdhIna ho gayA / prAta:kAla rAjyAbhiSeka kI taiyAriyAM hone lgiiN| mahAmaMtrI ne avadhUta yogI se apanI dAr3hI aura jaTA ko sApha karA dene kI purajora prArthanA kI, kintu avadhUta ne kevala rAjaveza dhAraNa karane kI hI anumati dI / yogya samaya aura apUrva utsAha ke sAtha hajAroM-hajAroM logoM ke jayanAda ke sAtha avadhUta kA rAjyAbhiSeka sampanna huaa| rAjyAbhiSeka ke pazcAt janatA apane naye rAjA ko dekha sake, isalie zobhAyAtrA kA Ayojana kiyA gyaa| avadhUta rAjA ne apanI dAr3hI aura jaTA ko yathAvat rkhaa| rAjaveza dhAraNa kara sira para bahumUlya mukuTa, bhagavA uttarIya aura dhotI dhAraNa kI..... kucheka mUlyavAn alaMkAra phne| isa prakAra avadhUta rAjA bhagave vastroM meM hone para bhI atyanta AkarSaka aura prabhAvI laga rahe the / rAjasiMhAsana para ArUr3ha hone ke pazcAt unhoMne mahAmaMtrI buddhisAgara ko apane pAsa bulAkara tIna AjJAeM prasArita karane kA Adeza diyA 1. sabhI aparAdhiyoM ko mukta karanA / 2. sAta dina taka sUryodaya se sUryAsta taka dAna dene kI vyavasthA karanA / 3. sAta dina taka koI bhI vyakti rAjabhavana meM Akara bhojana prApta kara sakatA hai| mahAmaMtrI ne tInoM Adeza prasArita kara die| rAjasabhA ke sadasyoM ne jaya-jayakAra kiyA / zobhA-yAtrA ke lie sajjita ratha meM baiThane se pUrva avadhUta mahArAjA ne mahApratihAra ko Adeza diyA ki Aja rAjabhavana meM mere zayanakakSa ke dvAra para vividha phala, miThAiyAM, ur3ada ke bAkale Adi sAmagrI se thAla bharakara rakhe jAeM aura rAjabhavana ke cAroM ora majabUta paharA rakhA jaae| koI bhI duSTa deva praveza na kara sake, aisI vyavasthA karanI hai| mahApratihAra ne isa AzA ko zirodhArya kiyA / zobhAyAtrA vahAM se cala pdd'ii| avaMtI nagarI ke logoM ko Azcaryamizrita Ananda ho rahA thaa| loga bhUla gae the ki Aja rAta ko duSTa deva kA prakopa hogA aura yaha becArA naujavAna yogI mauta ke muMha meM calA jaaegaa| utsAha ke kAraNa loga vipatti ko bhUla jAte haiN| vIra vikramAditya 25

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rAjabhavana meM aneka praasaadthe| rAjA ke lie nizcita mukhya prAsAda mahInoM se sUnA par3A thaa| dAsa-dAsI bhI usameM rahane se ghabarAte the, kintu Aja koI zaktizAlI aura camatkArI avadhUta AegA aura duSTa deva ko bhagA degA, isa AzA ke sAtha sabhI dAsa aura paricArikAeM prAsAda ko zRMgArita karane meM tanmaya ho gaI thiiN| zobhAyAtrA jaise-jaise Age bar3ha rahI thI, janatA apane naye rAjA ko utsAha se vardhApita kara rahI thii| ratha meM baiThe hue avadhUta vikramAditya ko bar3e bhAI kI smRti ho AyI.... aise kavihRdaya bhAI se milanA kaba hogA? are re, aisI catura, rUpavatI aura zreSTha bhAbhI ke mana meM aisA viSa kaba bhara gayA thA? kyA saMsAra meM aisI striyAM nahIM haiM ki una para vizvAsa kiyA jA sake? nahIM....nahIM....nahIM....yadi strI-jAti vizvAsayogya nahIM hotI to uttama mAnavaratna usakI kokha se avatarita nahIM hote| karma ke adhIna hokara manuSya aneka bAra duSTa karma kara letA hai| ajJAnavaza bhI asat kArya ho jAte haiN| vAstava meM AdamI kitanA bhI mahAn kyoM na ho, vaha karmoM ke samakSa to lAcAra hI hai! __ zobhAyAtrA meM aneka vAdya baja rahe the aura avadhUta mahArAja ke ratha para saikar3oM puSpamAlAeM A rahI thiiN| koI puranArI aise sundara aura naujavAna avadhUta ko dekhakara dAMtoM tale aMgulI dabAkara soca rahI thI-isa vyakti ne apane ugate yauvana meM saMnyAsa kyoM grahaNa kiyA hogA? aise sundara yuvaka ko mAtA-pitA ne saMnyAsa-grahaNa karane kI AjJA kaise dI hogI? zobhAyAtrA meM janatA kI bhIr3a kI ora bar3hate hue utsAha ko dekhakara vikramAditya Azcaryacakita the| unhoMne socA-rAjA ke lie nirAza haI janatA ke prANoM meM AzA kA dIpa prakaTa huA hai| mujhe kala prAta:kAla hI chadmaveza kA tyAga kara prajA kI AzA ko ujAgara karanA hai| ___ zobhAyAtrA jaba ratnAvaTa meM pahuMcI taba puranAriyoM ne naye rAjA ko apane motiyoM se vardhApita kiyaa| prajA kI isa bhAvanA ko dekhakara vikramAditya ne socA-oha ! aisI premAlu janatA ko kabhI du:kha na ho, aisI vyavasthA se mujhe rAjya kA saMcAlana karanA caahie| yadi maiM sattA ke naze meM aMdhA ho jAUMgA to ye motI mere jIvana meM dhadhakate aMgAre bana jAeMge aura merA kalyANa kabhI nahIM hogaa| jo rAjapuruSa janatA ke hRdaya kI bhAvanA ko nahIM samajha pAte, ve kitane hI UMce hoM, rAkSasa se bhI badatara hote haiN| 26 vIra vikramAditya

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zobhAyAtrA jaba rAjabhavana ke pAsa pahuMcI, taba aparAhnakAla ho gayA thaa| rAjabhavana meM praveza karate hI sabhI dAsa aura paricArikAoM ne avadhUta mahArAja kA satkAra kiyaa| __naye rAjA Aja prAta:kAla se kucha bhI bhojana nahIM le sake, isalie maMtriyoM ne rAjaprAsAda meM Ane ke lie vinIta svaroM meM prArthanA kii| prAsAda meM jAkara avadhUta mahArAja ne snAna se nivRtta hokara bhojana kiyA aura rAjabhavana meM sthita zrIjina-prAsAda meM darzanArtha jAne kI icchA vyakta kii| mahApratihAra tathA ATha-dasa dAsiyoM ke sAtha vikramAditya jina-prAsAda kI ora ge| 6. mitra banAyA avadhUta mahArAja bhagavAn kI pUjA kara rAjabhavana meM Ae, taba taka aneka vyakti unase milane ke lie ekatrita ho cuke the| thor3e samaya pazcAt rAjabhavana ke prAMgaNa meM nirmita maMDapa meM nRtya prArambha ho gyaa| usa samaya avaMtI meM rAjanartakI kI prathA nahIM thI, isalie nagara kI uttama nRtyAMganAoM aura gAyikAoM ko nimaMtrita kiyA gayA thaa| nRtya aura gAna sampanna hone para mahAmaMtrI ne avadhUta mahArAja ke nAma para saMgItakAroM ko pAritoSika diyA aura jaba avadhUta mahArAja rAjaprAsAda ke zayanakakSa kI ora mahApratihAra ke sAtha gae, taba rAtri kA dUsarA prahara bIta cukA thaa| ___ avadhUta vezadhArI vikramAditya ne zayanakakSa meM praveza kiyA....unhoMne dekhA ki khAdya-sAmagrI se bhare-pUre aneka thAla vahAM rakhe hue haiM....aneka prakAra ke phala bhI vahAM the aura ur3ada ke bAkaloM se bhare dasa thAla eka caukI para rakhe hue the| kesariyA dUdha ke do ghar3e bhI vahAM par3e the| rAjaprAsAda ke cAroM ora paheradAra ghUma rahe the| sau subhaTa hAtha meM talavAra lekara idhara-udhara ghUma rahe the| upavana meM sau sainika apane zastrAstroM se sajjita baiThe the| vikramAditya ne vizAla zayanakakSa ke sAre vAtAyana banda kara die...mukhya dvAra bhI khulA nahIM rakhA....phira unhoMne ratnajaTita paryaMka kI ora dekhA...yaha vahI paryaMka thA jisa para bar3e bhAI bhartRhari sote the....yaha paryaMka eka naukA ke AkAra kA thA....usameM jaTita ratna camaka rahe the aura aMdhakAra meM prakAza phailA rahe the| avadhUta vikramAditya ne mukuTa tathA anyAnya alaMkAra zarIra se utAre aura vahAM rakhI huI eka tripadI para sthita thAla meM rakha die, phira kamara meM baMdhA huA rAjakula ke zaurya kA pratIka khaDga nikAlA aura use paryaMka para rakha liyaa| vIra vikramAditya 27

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vikramAditya ne socA-sAre dIpaka bujhA dUM aura aMdhakAra meM jAgatA huA so jAUM.....dUsare hI kSaNa yaha vicAra badala gyaa| unhoMne socA, bharapUra prakAza meM hI duSTa deva ko bhalI-bhAMti dekhA jA skegaa| Aja unakA kSAtrateja jagamagA uThA thaa| unhoMne mana meM saMkalpa kiyA, koI deva ho yA rAkSasa, mRtyu se adhika vaha kara bhI kyA sakatA hai ?.....usa duSTa ke sAtha aMtima kSaNa taka mujhe lar3anA hai| kSatriya vIra ko yadi yuddha meM vijaya prApta hotI hai to use isa loka meM sukha-sampatti milatI hai aura mara jAne para paraloka meM sukha milatA hai| aisA socakara vikramAditya paryaMka para so gae aura karavaTeM badalane lage....khaDga pAsa meM hI par3A thaa| do ghaTikA bIta giiN| bAhara praharI AvAja de rahe the...vikramAditya ne nizcaya kiyA thA ki Aja sonA nahIM hai| aura acAnaka bhayaMkara huMkAra sunAI diyA....bAhara ke praharI kAMpa utthe| jabajaba nayA rAjA siMhAsana para baiThatA aura zayyA para sone jAtA....taba-taba aisA huMkAra hotA thaa| yaha huMkAra kauna kara rahA hai ? kahAM se A rahA hai ? isakI kisI ko koI kalpanA nahIM ho sakatI thii| acAnaka hone vAle isa huMkAra ko sunakara rAjabhavana meM hone vAle Ananda ke gIta para tuSArApAta ho gyaa| praharI phaTI AMkhoM se cAroM ora dekhane lge| para koI dRSTigocara nahIM ho rahA thaa| vikrama sAvaceta hokara zayyA para so rahe the| unake kAnoM para aTTahAsa ke zabda aura huMkAra prahAra kara rahe the| unakA bAyAM hAtha khaDga kI mUTha para jamA huA thaa| zayanakakSa ke sAre vAtAyana aura mukhya dvAra banda the.....mAtra jAlIdAra jharokhe kA dvAra khulA thA aura usase pavana A rahA thaa| zayanakakSa meM par3I huI khAdya-sAmagrI kI mahaka sAre kakSa ko sugaMdha se bhara rahI thii| usa madhura saurabha se sArA kakSa mAdaka ho rahA thA....kintu sAre rAjabhavana ko prakampita karane vAlA aTTahAsa usa mAdakatA meM khalabalI macA rahA thaa| vikrama cAroM ora dekha rahe the....acAnaka eka vAtAyana khar3akhar3AhaTa zabda karate hue khula gayA....vikrama ne tirachI najaroM se usa ora dekhaa| koI dikhAI nahIM de rahA thA....vikrama ne jAna liyA ki Ane vAlA deva adRzya rUpa se AyA hai....aura tatkAla use bhISaNa aTTahAsa sunAI diyA....usa aTTahAsa se pUrA zayanakakSa kAMpa utthaa| 28 vIra vikramAditya

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vikrama zayyA para se uThA, bolA- 'Ao mitra ! maiM tumhArA svAgata karatA hUM.... parantu tuma eka kAyara vyakti kI bhAMti adRzya kyoM raha rahe ho ?' usI kSaNa eka virAT AkRti dIkhane lgii| vaha deva bolA- 'are ! kyA maiM kAyara hUM? maiM mahAn zakti-sampanna agnivaitAla huuN| merI zakti ke samakSa devatA bhI kAMpate rahate haiM / ' 'Ao, priya agnivaitAla....!' 'are, tumhArI vANI bahuta mIThI hai.... kintu maiM madhura vANI meM phaMsatA nahIM.... maiM AyA hUM tumhArI mauta banakara....' 'mujhe mRtyu kA tanika bhI bhaya nahIM hai / ' agnivaitAla khilakhilAkara haMsate hue bolA- 'tuma pAgala to nahIM ho gae ho ? isa saMsAra meM prANimAtra ko mauta kA bhaya satAtA hai... tumane bhagavA vastra pahana rakhe haiM, isalie maiM tuma para dayA kruuNgaa|' / 'mitra ! maiM kSatriya huuN| maiM kisI kI dayA para jInA nahIM caahtaa|' 'oha ! aise tuma nahIM samajhoge....taiyAra ho jAo.. ' kahakara agnivaitAla ne apanA khaDga nikAlA / 'mitra ! tuma mere zabdoM para vizvAsa rakhanA.... ..tumhAre jaise * mahApuruSa aura zaktisampanna vyakti ke hAthoM se maranA, yaha gaurava kA viSaya hai| pahale tuma isa ora dekho....tumhAre lie maiMne yaha sArI sAmagrI maMgavAI hai.....pahale tuma tRpta ho jAo..... phira hama donoM yuddha kreNge|' 'mujhe tuma jAla meM phaMsAnA cAhate ho ? kyA tuma yaha mAnate ho ki maiM ina sAre pralobhanoM meM Akara apane karttavya se pIche haTa jAUMgA ?' 'nahIM, mitra! maiM tumheM pralobhana nahIM detA.... bhale hI maiM kevala Aja eka dina ke lie hI rAjA kyoM na banA hUM, merA rAjadharma hai ki atithi kA maiM svAgata karUM, bhale hI phira vaha zatru hI kyoM na ho| maiM kevala tumhArA svAgata karatA huuN| pahale tuma tRpta ho jAo, phira tuma mujhe mAra ddaalnaa|' 'lagatA hai tuma pAgala guru ke ziSya ho ! are, mauta kA kabhI svAgata hotA hai ?' 'jaba mauta sAmane khar3I ho, taba rote-rote marane ke badale haMsate-haMsate usakA svAgata karanA kyA ucita nahIM hai ? aba tuma vilamba mata karo aura bhojya sAmagrI kA bhoga lgaao|' vikrama ke nirbhIka zabdoM se agnivaitAla bahuta prabhAvita huA / agnivaitAla bahuta umaMga ke sAtha khAdya sAmagrI ko udarastha karane lgaa| sArI khAdya-sAmagrI zreSTha thI.... khAte-khAte koI aghAe nahIM, aisI svAdiSTa vIra vikramAditya 26

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thI....agnivaitAla isa prakAra khA rahA thA, mAno duSkAla se uThakara A rahA ho| saba khA-pIkara vaha atyanta tRpta huaa| vikramAditya usakI pratyeka pravRtti ko sUkSmatA se dekha rahA thaa| bhojana se tRpta hokara agnivaitAla utthaa| itane meM hI vikramAditya ne khar3e hokara kahA- 'mitra ! kucha tRpti to milI?' 'hAM, mitra!....tuma bahuta cAlAka ho, aisA pratIta hotA hai|' __ 'aba tuma isa peTI kI ora dekho| isameM aneka prakAra ke zreSTha itra par3e haiN| inakA tuma upayoga kro|' agnivaitAla ne itra ke pAtra uThAe aura apane sira para, zarIra para unheM uMDela kara prasannatA kA anubhava kiyaa| unakA mana pUrNa santuSTa ho gyaa| vikramAditya bolA-'aba maiM taiyAra huuN|' 'aba maiM tumhArA kyA karUM? tumane mujhe bahuta tRpta kiyA hai aura mujhe mitra banAkara merA Adara-satkAra kiyA hai....maiM tuma para atyanta prasanna hUM....tuma vyavahAranipuNa ho....acchA, apanA nAma to btaao|' 'vikramAditya....' 'oha! taba to isa rAjagaddI ke tuma vAstavika adhikArI ho| maiM Aja se rAjagaddI para se khisaka jAtA hUM....aba tuma nirvighna rUpa se, pUrNa prasannatA se isa rAjya kA upayoga karo...kintu tumheM merA eka kArya karanA hogaa|' 'bolo!' vikrama kA mana zAnta huaa| 'maiM pratidina madhyarAtri meM tumhAre pAsa AUMgA....tuma mujhe isI prakAra uttama sAmagrI se tRpta karate rhnaa|' 'vAha, tumane mere mana kI hI bAta kaha DAlI....tumhAre Agamana se mujhe bahuta Ananda aaegaa|' 'acchA, to maiM aba jAne kI AjJA letA huuN|' 'hAM, maiM kala rAtri meM tumhArI pratIkSA kruuNgaa...|' 'tumhArI nIMda ko bhaMga karanA ucita nahIM hogA....tuma sukhapUrvaka sote rahanA, maiM tRpta hokara calA jaauuNgaa|' vikramAditya ne haMsate hue kahA- 'mitra! tumhArA Agamana itanA romAMcaka hotA hai ki garbhavatI striyoM ke garbha bhI skhalita ho jAte haiM, to bhalA becArI nIMda kI to bAta hI kyA ?' 'maiM zAMtipUrvaka AUMgA aura tRpta hokara calA jaauuNgaa|' 'phira tumhAre sAtha bAta karane kA Ananda kaise milegA? tuma merI nIMda kI paravAha mata krnaa|' vikramAditya ne khaa| 30 vIra vikramAditya

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usake bAda agnivaitAla ne vikramAditya se hAtha milAyA aura adRzya hokara calA gyaa| vikrama ne sukha kI sAMsa lI aura namaskAra mahAmaMtra kA jApa karate-karate zayyA meM nidrAdhIna ho ge| rAjabhavana ke sabhI rakSaka aakul-vyaakulthe| sabhI ke mana meM yaha nizcaya thA ki prAta:kAla avadhUta mahArAja kI zavayAtrA niklegii| yaha duSTa deva kisI ko nahIM chodd'taa.....| prAta:kAla huaa| sUryodaya hote hI avadhUta mahArAja kI saMbhAla lene ke lie maMtrimaMDala ke ATha maMtrI A ge| mahAmaMtrI buddhisAgara aura nagaraseTha bhI A ge| rAjabhavana ke mukhya rakSaka ne kahA- 'duSTa deva rAtri meM AyA thaa|' 'phira kyA huA?' 'zayanakakSa ke dvAra to baMda haiN|' 'abhI taka mahArAja jAgRta nahIM hue?' nagaraseTha ne puuchaa| 'nahIM....' sabhI maMtriyoM ke manazaMkita ho ge| sabhI zayanakakSa ke mukhya dvAra para jAkara khar3e ho ge| nagaraseTha ne dvAra kI sAMkala ko khdd'khdd'aayaa| kucha kSaNoM bAda bhItara se vikramAditya ne kahA- 'kauna?' 'mahArAja kI jaya ho!' mahAmaMtrI ne ullAsa ke sAtha khaa| sabhI ke citta prasanna ho ge| avadhUta mahArAja zayyA se uThe, dvAra kholaa| nagaraseTha ne namaskAra kara prahalA prazna kiyA- 'kRpAvatAra! rAta meM kucha ghaTita huA?' . 'hAM, bahuta kucha ghaTita huA....Apa saba ArAma se baiThe....maiM prAta:karma se nivRtta hokara sArI bAta btaauuNgaa|' avadhUta mahArAja ne khaa| ___ mahApratihAra vahAM pahuMca gae the| unhoMne sabhI ko nIce ke khaMDa meM le jAkara bitthaayaa| avadhUta mahArAja ne eka nAI ko bulA bhejaa| mahArAjA kA vizvasta nAI rAjabhavana ke eka kamare meM rahatA thaa| zaucAdi karma se nivRtta hokara vikramAditya snAnAgAra meM gae, sAtha meM usa nAI ko le ge| avadhUta mahArAja kI AjJA pAkara nAI ne dAr3hI ko sApha kara ddaalaa| sira ke bAla kalApUrNa DhaMga se barAbara kara die....ceharA camaka uThA....nAI Azcaryacakita raha gyaa| vIra vikramAditya 31

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vikramAditya ne kahA- 'are! kyA tUne mujhe pahacAna liyA ?' 'annadAtA! kyA Apa hI avadhUta bane the? oha ! bhagavAna kI lIlA aparaMpAra hai|' 'aba tailamardana kara mujhe snAna karA....phira mere sAtha hI bAhara niklnaa|' aisA hI huaa| snAnAdi se nivRtta hokara vikramAditya ne rAjaveza dhAraNa kiyA, kucha alaMkAra pahanakara bAhara aae| apane priya yuvarAja ko sAmane dekhakara mahApratihAra cauNkaa| vaha bola uThA-'Apa!' 'Azcarya to isa bAta kA hai ki kisI ne mujhe nahIM pahacAnA.....aba mujhe maMtrimaMDala ke pAsa le clo|' mahApratihAra harSa ke Aveza meM gadagada ho gyaa| jaba mahArAja vikramAditya nIce ke khaMDa meM Ae, taba unheM dekhakara sabhI maMtrI avAka raha ge| mahAmaMtrI ne kahA- 'yuvarAjazrI! Apa!' 'varSoM taka sAtha meM rahane ke bAvajUda ApameM se kisI ne mujhe nahIM pahacAnA!' 'kyA Apa hI avadhUta bane the?' nagaraseTha ne prazna kiyaa| 'hAM, seThajI!.....bhAgya mujhe yahAM khIMca lAyA....aba maiM Aja sabako rAta kI sArI ghaTanA batAtA hUM'-kahakara vikramAditya eka Asana para baiTha ge| avadhUta mahArAja hI svayaM vikramAditya haiM, yaha bAta sAre rAjabhavana meM phaila gii| rAjabhavana ke sabhI dAsa-dAsI harSa vyakta karane ke lie Ane lge| rAjaparivAra vAloM ko bhI yaha bAta jJAta huI aura ve saba Ananda se uchalane lge| vikramAditya ne sArI ghaTita ghaTanA ko vistAra se kahA aura agnivaitAla mitra banA hai, yaha bhI khaa| sabhI maMtrI bahuta Anandita hue| unhoMne sAre rAjya meM harSotsava manAne kI ghoSaNA prasArita kii| 7. prathama vijaya avaMtI nagarI ke harSa kA koI pAra nahIM rhaa| utsava manAte-manAte dasa dina bIta ge| nagarI ke zrImanta logoM ke ghara vikramAditya ko jAnA par3atA.... janatA kI badhAiyAM jhelanI hotiiN| usane socA-jisa rAjya meM aisI premamayI prajA kA nivAsa 32 vIra vikramAditya

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hotA hai, usa rAjA ko koI du:kha nahIM ho sakatA....rAjA ko cAhie ki vaha aisI prajA kA sevaka bana jaae| vikramAditya ne mana hI mana prajA kI sevA aura kalyANa karane kA saMkalpa kara liyaa| samagra rAjya meM utsava manAyA jA rahA thA.....gAMva-gAMva se jana-samUha rAjA ko vardhApita karane A rahe the| ve saba rAjA kA darzana pAkara apane ko kRtakRtya anubhava karate the| logoM kI bheMTa svIkAra karate-karate pratidina madhyarAtri bIta jAtI thI aura usI samaya vahAM agnivaitAla AtA aura tRpta hokara calA jaataa| vaha kisI bhI prakAra kA upadrava nahIM karatA thaa| kintu vikramAditya ne socA, pratidina itanI bhojya sAmagrI kI vyavasthA karanA ucita nahIM hai| isase to sArA koSa hI rikta ho sakatA hai aura prajA ke kalyANakArI kAryoM meM bAdhA A sakatI hai| pandraha dina bIta ge| solahavIM madhyarAtri meM amnivaitAla AyA, bali kI sAmagrI se tRpta hokara jAne lgaa| vikramAditya ne kahA-'mitra! Aja icchA ho rahI hai ki maiM tumhAre sAtha kucha bAteM kruuN|' ___ 'prasannatA se, mitra!' kahakara vikarAla rUpa vAlA agnivaitAla vikramAditya ke palaMga para baiTha gyaa| vikramAditya ne agnivaitAla kI ora dekhate hue kahA-'mitra! tumheM dekhane ke pazcAt mere mana meM eka prazna ghulatA rahatA hai....pratidina pUchane kI bAta socatA hUM, para Aja taka pUcha nahIM skaa|' 'usa prazna kA samAdhAna Aja kara lo|' agnivaitAla ne khaa| 'mujhe Azcarya hotA hai ki tumhArI zakti kitanI hogI? tumhArA prabhAva kitanA hogA? kyA tuma jo cAho, vaha kArya kara sakate ho?' . agnivaitAla jora se haMsa pdd'aa| vaha bolA- 'vikrama ! merI zakti kA koI pAra nahIM hai| kArya kitanA bhI duSkara ho, maiM use nimiSa mAtra meM kara sakatA hUM....jahAM cAhUM vahAM pala bhara meM jA sakatA hUM....manuSya to mere lie eka sAmAnya prANI hai....maiM cAhUM to kisI bhI puruSa ko apanI muTThI meM dabAkara nicor3a sakatA hUM....mere prabhAva kI tuma kalpanA bhI nahIM kara sakate....maiM icchita rUpa karane meM samartha haM....maiM kevala apane aTTahAsa se samUce nagara ko kampita kara sakatA hUM....aura....' bIca meM vikramAditya bole-'oha! taba to tuma sarvazaktimAn ho....mitra ! tumheM mitra rUpa meM pAkara maiM vAstava meM dhanya banA huuN| kintu eka cintA mere hRdaya ko kureda rahI hai....|' vIra vikramAditya 33

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agnivaitAla ne haMsate hue kahA- 'kyA kisI sundarI meM mana phaMsa gayA hai ? usakI kalpanA tumheM pIr3Ade rahI hai? yadi aisA kucha ho to mujhe batAo, maiM palaka jhapakate hI use tumhAre sAmane hAjira kara duuNgaa|' 'nahIM, mitra ! aisI koI kalpanA mana meM uThI hI nhiiN|' 'to phira kisa bAta kI cintA hai ?' 'mitra! pIr3A to itanI hI hai ki maiM nahIM samajha sakA ki merA AyuSya kitanA hai? jisa vyakti ko apanI mauta kI jAnakArI nahIM hotI, usake jIne meM koI Ananda nahIM aataa| bAra-bAra mana meM saMzaya jAgatA hai aura mana meM bhAvanA hotI hai ki kisI jyotiSI ko dikhAkara jAnUM....yadi tuma apanI zakti se mere AyuSya kI maryAdA batA sako, to merI cintA dUra ho sakatI hai|' ___ 'kyA yaha koI bar3I bAta hai ? maiM abhI tumheM batA detA huuN|' yaha kahakara agnivaitAla kucha kSaNoM ke lie dhyAnamagna ho gayA, phira bolA-'mitra! tumhArA AyuSya bahuta lambA hai| pUre sau varSa taka tuma jiioge|' 'dekho mitra ! mujhe rAjI karane ke lie mata khnaa|' 'nahIM, vikrama ! maiM satya kaha rahA hUM....saMsAra kI koI bhI zakti sau varSa se pahale tumhArA nAza nahIM kara sktii|' 'yaha bhaviSya batAkara tumane mujhe aura cintita kara ddaalaa|' 'kaise?' - 'kyA tuma nahIM jAnate ki zUnya ghara, zUnya vana, pratimA se zUnya maMdira aura sainya-zUnya rAjA kabhI zobhita nahIM hote| zUnya amaMgala kA sUcaka hai....mere AyuSya meM eka nahIM, do-do zUnya A gae haiN|' _ 'mitra! abhI tuma ugate yuvaka ho....jIvana bahuta lambA hai...ghabarAne kI bAta nahIM hai|' 'amaMgala zUnya se mana bahuta udAsa ho rahA hai....kintu tuma samartha ho....jo cAho so kara sakate ho| mere lie itanA mAtra kara do-yA to merA AyuSya ninyAnave varSa kA kara do yA phira eka sau gyAraha varSa kA kara do| isase zUnya miTa jAeMge aura amaMgala dUra ho jaayegaa|' 'rAjan ! AyuSya kI jo maryAdA nirdhArita hotI hai, usameM vidhAtA bhI hera-phera nahIM kara sktaa| AyuSya na kama kiyA jA sakatA hai aura na bar3hAyA jA sakatA hai|' 'are! kyA tumhAre jaisA zakti-sampanna mitra merA yaha tuccha kArya nahIM kara sakatA?' 34 vIra vikramAditya

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'maiM vivaza hUM, rAjan ! tumane sunA hogA ki jaba bhagavAna mahAvIra mukta hone kI sthiti meM the, taba indra ne Akara prArthanA kI ki bhagavan, Apa kSaNabhara ke lie AyuSya ko bar3hA leM ! kintu usa samaya bhagavAn ne kahA-'asaMbhava...asaMbhava... asNbhv...|' 'mitra! kyA koI dUsarA upAya nahIM hai ? yadi maiM ninyAnave varSa meM AtmahatyA kara lUM, to....?' 'to bhI tuma baca jaaoge|' 'kisI yuddha meM agrima morce para calA jAUM to?' 'taba bhI tumhArA kucha nahIM bigdd'egaa| jitane zvAsa tumhAre AyuSya ke lie nizcita ho cuke haiM, usameM kisI ke dvArA parivartana nahIM ho sktaa|' 'jaisA bhAgya' kahakara vikrama ne ni:zvAsa chor3ane kA abhinaya kiyaa| agnivaitAla ne vikrama ke kaMdhe para hAtha rakhakara haMsate hue kahA-'are mitra! yaha to acchA aura pUrA AyuSya kahalAtA hai....zUnya ke cakkara meM kyoM phaMsa gae?' kucha samaya pazcAt agnivaitAla vidA lekara vahAM se adRzya ho gyaa| mana meM prasannatA kA anubhava karate hue mahArAja vikramAditya apanI sukomala zayyA para nidrAdhIna ho ge| tIna dina aura bIta ge| vikrama kA vizvasta aura nijI sevaka rAmadAsa gAMva se lauTa AyA thaa| vaha puna: svAmI kI sevA meM juTa gyaa| usake Agamana se vikramAditya ko bahuta Ananda huaa| nijI kArya kI cintA dUra ho gii| cauthe dina vikramAditya ne vaitAla ke lie khAdya sAmagrI na rakhane kA nirdeza diyaa| yaha sunakara mahAmaMtrI buddhisAgara ne kahA- 'mahArAja! vaha rAkSasa puna: kupita ho jaaegaa|' ___ 'isa bhaya se pratidina itanA vyaya karanA ucita nahIM hai| maiM usase nipaTa luuNgaa|' ___ 'kRpAnAtha! agnivaitAla bahuta duSTa hai...saMbhava hai Apake jIvana ke lie vaha khatarA bana jaae|' 'mere jIvana ke lie janatA ke artha kA isa prakAra durupayoga karanA hInatA hai, dInatA hai....aura kSatriya kI saMtAna yadi khatare kA sAmanA na kare, to use rAjya karane kA koI adhikAra nahIM hai|' mahArAja vikramAditya ke isa aDola dhairya ko dekhakara mahAmaMtrI avAk raha ge| vIra vikramAditya 35

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rAjyasabhA kA kArya sampanna kara vikramAditya rAjabhavana meM aae| milane ke lie Ae logoM kA tAMtA lagA huA thaa| do prahara rAta bIta gaI thii| mahArAja zayanakakSa meM ge| rAmadAsa pratIkSA kara rahA thaa| mahArAja ko dekhakara vaha uThA aura mastaka jhukAkara eka ora khar3A ho gyaa| vikramAditya ne kahA- 'rAmU ! Aja tU mere isI zayanakakSa ke sAmane vAle jharokhe ke pAsa so jaanaa|' 'jaisI AjJA.....kyA Aja rAkSasa nahIM AegA?' 'AegA to avazya hI....' 'to phira....?' 'Aja usake sAtha antima samAdhAna kara lenA hai....isa prakAra bhoga denA kisI bhI dRSTi se ucita nahIM hai|' vikrama ne khaa| 'mahArAja! to phira vaha rAkSasa atyanta kupita hokara Apako...' 'rAmU ! vaha merA kucha bhI nahIM bigAr3a sktaa|' 'nahIM, kRpAnAtha! isase to acchA hai Apa.....?' 'kyA?' 'Apa dUsare khaMDa meM so jaaeN| ApakI pozAka pahanakara maiM yahAM so jaauuNgaa|' vikrama ne muskarAkara kahA- 'tU kyA kara sakegA?' 'roSa se bharA huA vaha rAkSasa merA bhoga lekara calA jaaegaa|' 'rAmU ! agnivaitAla bahuta catura hai| isa prakAra samasyA kA samAdhAna nahIM hogaa| tU dekhate rahanA....aba jaisA maiMne kahA hai, vaisA kr|' vikrama ne khaa| vikramAditya ne myAnamukta kara talavAra zayyA para rakha lI thii| ve vastra badalakara so ge| rAmadAsa bhI nirdiSTa sthAna para so gyaa| rAtri kA mdhy| donoM jAga rahe the| donoM agnivaitAla ke Agamana kI pratIkSA kara rahe the| aura khule vAtAyana se adRzya rUpa meM agnivaitAla ne khaMDa meM praveza kiyaa| Aja khAdya sAmagrI na dekhakara vaha roSa se bhara gayA aura tatkAla aTTahAsa karatA huA vikarAla rUpa meM prakaTa huaa| rAmadAsa to agnivaitAla ke vikarAla rUpa ko dekhakara thara-thara kAMpane lgaa| usanemana-hI-mana socA-Aja yaha duSTa rAkSasa mahArAja ko khA jAegA....mahArAja ne aisA durAgraha kyoM kiyA....? 36 vIra vikramAditya

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vikrama nIMda kA abhinaya kara zayyA meM so rahe the| agnivaitAla ne roSa bhare zabdoM meM kahA-'vikrama ! Aja aisA kyoM?' vikrama ne sote-sote hI kahA- 'mitra! kyA bAta hai?' 'mere lie bhoga kI sAmagrI kahAM hai?' 'janatA kedhana kA maiM isa prakAra durupayoga kitane samaya taka karatA rahUM?' 'janatA kA dhana ! duSTa, merI mitratA ke sAtha aisA droha!....tumane mujhe bhoga dene kA vAyadA kiyA thA, yAda hai tumako?' 'hAM, yAda hai! para sadA-sadA ke lie dene kI bAta nahIM kahI thii|' 'taba to Aja tumane apanI mauta ko nimaMtraNa de DAlA hai|' 'mauta merI hogI yA tumhArI, yaha kauna jAna sakatA hai ? maiM kSatriya hUM....maiM mauta se nahIM ddrtaa| kSatriyoM ne indra ke sAtha bhI yuddha kiyA hai..tuma kyA cIja ho? uThAo apanI talavAra....!' ___ uttara meM agnivaitAla ne jora se apanA sira dhunA aura eka dudhArI talavAra usake hAtha meM A gii| vaha garjana karatA huA bolA- 'Aja tumhAre jIvana kA antima dina hai....jaba mauta sira para maMDarAtI hai, taba manuSya kI mati sthira nahIM rhtii|' 'mujhe bhI aisA hI pratIta ho rahA hai....tumhAre sira para mauta kI kAlI chAyA nAca rahI hai, isalie tuma mere abhiprAya ko nahIM samajha pA rahe ho'-kahakara vikrama bhI talavAra lekara taiyAra ho gyaa| rAmadAsa kAMpa rahA thA....usake nayana visphArita ho gae the....bIsa varSa ke umra vAle mahArAja isa parvatAkAra rAkSasa se kaise nibaTeMge? donoM meM talavAra-yuddha prArambha huaa| vikramAditya jaise dhanurvidyA meM nipuNa the, usI prakAra talavAra calAne meM bhI kuzala the| ve capalatA se agnivaitAla ko maMDalAkAra ghumAne lage....kucha hI kSaNoM ke pazcAt vikramAditya ne eka aisA prahAra kiyA ki agnivaitAla ke hAtha se talavAra chUTakara bhUmi para jA girii| kSaNabhara ke lie agnivaitAla avAka raha gyaa| vikramAditya ne apanI talavAra pheMkate hue kahA- 'apanA pauruSa dikhAne kA maiM tumheM avasara detA hUM....dvandva-yuddha ke lie taiyAra ho jaao|' rAkSasa ko yahI cAhie thaa| donoM mallayuddha meM juTa gae, paiMtarA badalane lge| vIra vikramAditya 37

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virATkAya rAkSasa ke samakSa vikramAditya vAmana pratIta ho rahe the, kintu unheM vizvAsa thA ki unako sau varSa ke AyuSya kA koI bhI khaNDana karane meM samartha nahIM hai| lagabhaga arddhaghaTikA ke mallayuddha ke pazcAt vikramAditya ne avasara dekhakara agnivaitAla ke yakRta para jora se apanA sira mArA....aura agnivaitAla jora se cIkhatA huA jamIna para gira par3A....kSaNabhara kA bhI vilamba kie binA vikramAditya usakI chAtI para jA baiThe aura donoM hAthoM se usakA galA dabocate hue bole'mUrkha ! tumane hI to kahA thA ki mere AyuSya ko koI nyUna yA adhika nahIM kara sakatA....kyA itane alpa samaya meM hI tuma isa satya ko bhUla gae?' agnivaitAla bolA-'mitra ! mujhe kSamA karo....krodha ke vazavartI hone ke kAraNa maiM isa satya ko bhUla gayA thA...aba maiM tumhArA mitra nahIM, dAsa bananA cAhatA hUM....maiM tumhArI zakti aura himmata ko dekhakara atyanta prasanna hUM....tumheM jo cAhie, vaha mAMga lo|' vikramAditya tatkAla usakI chAtI para se uTha khar3e hae aura haMsate-haMsate bole- 'mitra! tuma mere dAsa nahIM, mitra hI ho....tumako bhoga dene kI pratibaddhatA kA nirvAha mere lie kaThina thA....' agnivaitAla uThA, bolA- 'tuma mujhako vacana meM bAMdha lo|' vikrama bolA- 'maiM jaba-jaba tumako yAda karUM, taba-taba tatkAla hAjira ho jAnA aura jo kahU~, vaha kArya saMpAdita kara denaa|' agnivaitAla ne vikrama ko chAtI se lagAte hue kahA- 'vikrama ! maiM apanI zakti kI zapatha se tumhAre vacanoM ke anusAra apane-Apako bAMdhatA huuN|' vikrama ne tatkAla rAmadAsa kI ora dekhakara kahA- 'rAmU ! mere mitra ko namaskAra kara aura pAsa vAle khaMDa meM vasanta modaka se bhare do thAla par3e haiM, unheM yahAM le aa|' rAmU agnivaitAla ko namaskAra kara khaMDa kA dvAra kholakara bAhara calA gyaa| zayanakhaMDa ke bAhara praharI, mahApratihAra Adi ekatrita ho gae the| 8. mahAtmA bhartRhari caitra mAsa pUrA huaa| mahArAja vikramAditya kI vyastatA kucha kama huI, kyoMki milane ke lie Ane vAle logoM se nivRtti mila gaI thI aura rAjasabhA kA kArya bhI vyavasthita ho gayA thaa| 38 vIra vikramAditya

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eka dina mahAmaMtrI rAjabhavana ke maMtraNAgRha meM mahArAja vikramAditya se mile aura prArthanA ke svaroM meM bole- 'kRpAnAtha ! Apa kisI yogya aura kulIna kanyA ke sAtha vivAha kreN|' 'mahAmaMtrI ! mujhe dhyAna hai.... kintu kucha samaya taka dhairya rakhanA hogA..... maiM eka bAra apane bar3e bhAI se milanA cAhatA hU~.... / ' mahAmaMtrI bole- 'rAjan ! mahAtmA bhartRhari gaMgAtaTa ke vana pradeza kI ora gae the.....usake pazcAt unake koI samAcAra prApta nahIM ho sake haiN| eka bAta aura hai ki vairAgya meM itane raca-paca gae haiM ki ve grAma, nagara yA mAnava bastI meM AtejAte hI nahIM haiM / 'phira bhI mujhe unase milanA hai|' 'ThIka hai, kintu Apa vivAha sUtra meM baMdhakara phira AzIrvAda lene jAeM; yaha adhika ucita hogA / ' 'mahAmaMtrI ! merA vicAra unako yahAM lAne kA hai.... / ' bIca meM mahAmaMtrI ne kahA- 'yaha azakya hai.... hamane unako samajhAne meM koI kasara nahIM rakhI thii| ve aba kisI bhI paristhiti meM puna: sAMsArika jhaMjhaToM meM phaMsanA nahIM cAhate / ' 'mahAmaMtrI! Apake samajhAne meM aura mere nivedana karane meM bahuta bar3A antara hai| mahArAjA ke isa tyAga kA nimitta mahArAnI hI nahIM, maiM bhI hUM / ' 'Apa ?' 'hAM, mahArAja kA mere para aTUTa prema thA aura ajJAta dazA meM unake hAtha se eka anyAya ghaTita ho gyaa| yathArtha kI jAnakArI hone para unake mana kI pIr3A ko maiM samajha sakatA hUM, dUsarA koI nhiiN| mere nimitta se hI unhoMne itanA kaThora prAyazcitta svIkAra kiyA hai, aisA maiM mAnatA huuN|' 'kintu Apa unakI khoja kahAM kareMge ?' 'merA eka mitra hai / mahArAja saMsAra ke kisI bhI kone meM hoM, vaha unako DhUMDha legA / ' vikramAditya ne kahA / aura cAra dina ke pazcAt prAta:kAla ke hote-hote vikramAditya ne agnivaitAla ko yAda kiyaa| agnivaitAla tatkAra hAjira ho gayA aura prasanna svara meM bolA- 'mahArAja, kyA AjJA hai ?' 'mitra ! eka bAta kI vismRti nahIM honI cAhie ki tuma mere mitra ho, naukara nahIM / ' vIra vikramAditya 36

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'oha!' kahakara agnivaitAla ne vikramAditya ko bAMhoM meM bhara liyaa| 'mitra ! maiM apane bar3e bandhu mahArAja bhartRhari se milanA cAhatA huuN|' 'mahArAja! taiyAra ho jaaeN|' agnivaitAla ne khaa| 'maiM taiyAra hI huuN| ve abhI kisa ora gae haiM ?' vikramAditya ne puuchaa| agnivaitAla ne kucha kSaNoM taka AMkheM mUMda lI....phira vaha bolA-'priya vikrama ! Apake bar3e bhAI citrakUTa ke saghana vana-pradeza meM haiN|' 'to hama vahAM caleM?' 'abhI?' 'hAM....' 'to Apa AMkheM mUMdakara merA hAtha pakar3a leN|' vaitAla ne khaa| vikrama ne AMkheM banda kara vaitAla kA eka hAtha majabUtI se pakar3a liyaa| dUsare hI kSaNa vaitAla bolA-'hama pahuMca gae haiN| aba Apa AMkheM kholeN|' 'basa, itane zIghra !' Azcarya kA anubhava karate hue vikrama ne AMkheM kholiiN| unake Azcarya kA pAra nahIM rahA....na rAjabhavana thA....na avaMtI nagarI....na thA zayana-kakSa....thA kevala bhayaMkara vana aura choTI-choTI phaadd'iyaaN....|| vaitAla bolA- 'yaha vana bahuta bhayaMkara hai....citrakUTa parvata ke cAroM ora siMha, vyAghra, varAha Adi hiMsra pazu bar3I saMkhyA meM rahate haiN|' 'mahAtmA bhartRhari kahAM haiM ?' 'sAmane vAlI guphA meN|' 'oha ! aisI bhayaMkara guphA meM.......?' 'Apa andara jAeM....maiM adRzya rUpa meM Apake sAtha rhuuNgaa|' kahakara vaitAla adRzya ho gyaa| vikramAditya usa guphA kI ora Age bddhe| guphA ke dvAra para unheM eka bhayaMkara ajagara dikhAI diyA....vikrama ne tatkAla talavAra myAnamukta kara lii| adRzya vaitAla bola par3A- "mitra! yaha ajagara nahIM hai|' 'to phira ?' 'eka haThayogI hai....tIna varSoM se yaha ajagara ke rUpa meM rahakara kevala vAyu kA bhakSaNa karatA hai....mahAtmA bhartRhari isI haThayogI kI guphA meM rahate haiN|' vikrama ne talavAra ko puna: myAna meM rakhA aura hAtha jor3akara ajagara ko namana kara guphA meM praveza karane ke lie sira jhukaayaa| 40 vIra vikramAditya

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guphA meM andhakAra vyApta thA... eka sthAna para prakAza kI kucha rekhAeM phUTa rahI thiiN| bAhara se guphA choTI-sI laga rahI thI, para andara se itanI vizAla thI ki vikrama use dekhakara Azcaryacakita raha gae....usa guphA meM lagabhaga sau vyakti raha sakate haiM - itanI bar3I thI..... eka kone meM prAkRtika jharanA baha rahA thA.... eka zilA para laMgoTI pahane mahArAja bhartRhari dhyAnamagna hokara baiThe the / bar3e bhrAtA ko isa avasthA meM dekhakara vikrama ke dhIraja kA bAMdha TUTa gyaa| karuNa svara meM 'bhAI ! bar3e bhAI ! mere mArgadarzaka !' kahate hue ve Age bar3he aura bar3e bhAI ke caraNa-kamala meM lur3hakakara bole- 'bar3e bhAI ! Apane..... Apane yaha kyA kara DAlA? mujhe AdhArahIna chor3ate samaya Apake hRdaya ko jhaTakA nahIM lagA ?' mahArAja bhartRhari dhyAna ko sampanna kara jAgRta hue| vikrama ke karuNa svara ne unakI samAdhi meM antarAya utpanna kara ddaalaa| unhoMne prasanna dRSTi se vikrama kI ora dekhA / vikrama ke nayana sajala ho gae the / mahAtmA bhartRhari ne laghu bAMdhava vikrama ke sira para hAtha rakhate hue kahA'vikrama ! maiM saba kucha bhUla gayA thA, kevala tumako nahIM bhUla sakA thaa| Aja devakRpA se maiM nizcinta ho gayA / ' - 'bar3e bhAI.....' 'vikrama ! Azcarya kA koI kAraNa nahIM hai| yaha saMsAra AzcaryoM se bharA par3A hai, vaise hI manuSya kA jIvana bhI AzcaryoM kA bhaMDAra hai|' vikrama mauna the| ve kucha bhI nahIM bola sake.....unakA hRdaya rone ke lie Atura ho rahA thA.... unakI AMkhoM se AMsuoM ke motI bikhara rahe the| mahAtmA bhartRhari bole- 'vikrama ! maiM nArI ke rUpa- -yauvana meM andhA bana gayA thA, kintu kisI puNyodaya se maiM samaya rahate jAga gyaa| yadi maiM nahIM jAgatA to... ' 'bhAIjI ! aise tuccha nimitta ke kAraNa Apane rAjya-tyAga kyoM kiyA ? mujhe anAtha kyoM banA DAlA ?' gadgada svara meM vikrama ne kahA / bhartRhari ne vikrama kI pITha para hAtha rakhate hue prasanna svaroM meM kahA - vikrama ! manuSya pApa kara baiThatA hai aura yadi pApa jJAta ho jAne para prAyazcitta nahIM karatA, to vaha pApa anyAnya pApoM kA saMcaya karatA rahatA hai| mere se bhI eka pApa ho gayA thA aura usa pApa ke lie hI maiMne eka gurutara pApa kara DAlA - tujhe deza se niSkAsita kara diyA.....yadi maiM mohAndha nahIM banatA, to mere lie koI prazna hI khar3A nahIM hotA..... bhAI ! jo kucha huA hai, vaha acchA hI huA hai| mAlava deza kI prajA kA kalyANa aba tujhe hI karanA hai|' 'bar3e bhAI jI..... bar3e bhAI jI....' vIra vikramAditya 41

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'hAM, maiM saca kahatA huuN|' 'nahIM, Apa mere sAtha hI avaMtI padhAreM aura mAlava deza ke svAmI banakara janatA kA kalyANa kreN|' '_ 'pAgala kahIM ke!' kahakara mahAtmA bhartRhari haMsa par3e aura haMsate-haMsate bole, 'vikrama ! jisa dina kSatriya tyakta vastu ke grahaNa karane kI bAta socegA, usI dina saMsAra kA prakAza naSTa ho jAegA....usa dina loga tyAga kA parihAsa kareMge aura bhoga ko amRta mAnakara apanAte rheNge| tuma dharma meM sthira rahanA....rAjya karanA, para rAjalakSmI ke dAsa mata bana jaanaa| tuma hamezA jAgRta rahanA....bhAI vikrama! jAo, sukhapUrvaka rAjya kro| merA AzIrvAda tumhArI sadA rakSA kregaa|' parantu vikrama ne bar3e bhAI ke caraNa nahIM chor3e aura ve caraNakamaloM meM AMsuoM ke phUla bichAte hI rhe| 'bhartRhari ke bhAI hokara ro rahe ho?' 'mahAtman ! rudana ke atirikta mere pAsa hai hI kyA? Apake sarvatyAga kA maiM hI to nimitta banA huuN|' 'vikrama ! isa prakAra nimitta bananA bhI uttama puNya kA saMcaya hai.....saMsAra ke kAryoM meM aneka vyakti nimitta banate haiM, parantu tyAga kA nimitta bananA bahuta bar3I bAta hai, parama saubhAgya kI bAta hai...maiM tumheM spaSTa batA denA cAhatA hUM ki Aja mujhe jo apUrva Ananda kI upalabdhi ho rahI hai, vaha avAcya hai, ananta hai|' anta meM, jaba vikrama bhAI ko rAjya kI ora mor3ane meM saphala nahIM ho sake, taba bole- 'bar3abandhava! merI eka bAta Apako mAnanI hogii|' 'kaho....' eka bAra kucha samaya ke lie Apa rAjabhavana meM padhAreM....isa guphA kI avasthA dekhakara merA hRdaya jalakara rAkha ho gayA hai|' 'rAjamahala kI camaka-damaka se adhika kyA tumheM yahAM adhika zAMti kA anubhava nahIM hotA?' 'mahAtman ! yahAM ApakA svAsthya....ApakA bhojana....' muskarAte hue bhartRhari ne bIca meM kahA- 'tyAgI vyakti kI aisI koI kAmanA nahIM hotI, kucha adhika AvazyakatAeM nahIM hotI....aura maiM avaMtI meM avazya AUMgA, para rAjabhavana meM nhiiN|' 'to phira?' 'nagarI ke bAhara kisI vRkSa ke nIce Asana bichaauuNgaa| tyAgapatha ke pathika ko rAja ke khilaunoM meM rasa dikhAnA zobhA nahIM detaa| tuma merI cintA mata karanA, nizcinta rhnaa|' 42 vIra vikramAditya

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vikramAditya mahAtmA bhartRhari kI ora ekaTaka dekhate rahe / phira caraNoM meM sira jhukA, mahAtmA kA maMgala AzIrvAda prApta kara vikrama guphA ke bAhara A ge| bAhara nikalane ke pazcAt agnivaitAla prakaTa hokara bolA- 'mitra ! mahAtmA bhartRhari dhanya haiM.... sukha, sattA, samRddhi aura vaibhava kA sarvathA tyAga karanA devatAoM ke lie bhI durlabha hai| jisake hRdaya meM parAkrama hotA hai, vahI tyAgarUpI pArada ko pacA sakatA hai.....sAmAnya jantuoM kA yaha kAma nahIM hai / ' 'tumhArI bAta satya hai, mitra !' kahakara vikrama ne agnivaitAla kA hAtha pkdd'aa| 'aba to ghara hI jAnA hai na ?' 'hAM, mahAtmA bhartRhari kaba AeMge, yaha nizcita nahIM hai.... parantu eka bAra avazya AeMge / ' kahakara vikrama ne AMkheM banda kiiN| kucha hI kSaNoM meM donoM avaMtI nagarI ke rAjabhavana ke kakSa meM pahuMca ge| bhartRhari se milane ke lie jAne se pUrva vikramAditya ne rAmadAsa ko batA diyA thA, isalie saba nizcinta the / bhojana kA samaya bahuta pahale hI ho cukA thaa| agnivaitAla ne jaba jAne kI AjJA mAMgI, taba vikrama bole- 'mitra ! Aja hama donoM sAtha meM hI bhojana kyoM na kareM ?' 'merA aisA bhAgya kahAM ? phira bhI maiM ApakA mAna rkhuuNgaa|' 'bhAgya kI bAta ?' 'madhya rAtri se pUrva bhojana kI icchA hI nahIM hotI / ' 'oha, to phira tuma roja kyA khAte ho ?' 'yahI merI bhAgyahInatA hai.... maiM apane lie koI vastu maMgA nahIM sakatAisalie mujhe vana-upavana ke phala-phUloM para hI nirbhara rahanA par3atA hai|' agnivaitAla ne kahA / - vikrama ne rAmadAsa ko bulAkara kahA- 'rAmU ! Aja hama donoM yahIM bhojana kreNge| Aja tU kandoI ke yahAM sevaka ko bhejakara cAra mana miThAI ....' bIca meM hI agnivaitAla bola par3A- 'mahArAja ! abhI maiM Apa jitanA hI bhojana kara sakUMgA... bAhara se koI vastu maMgAne kI jarUrata nahIM hai|' 'saca kaha rahe ho ?' 'hAM....' vIra vikramAditya 43

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vikramAditya ne tatkAla do thAla parosakara lAne kI AjJA dI / bhojana se nivRtta hokara vaitAla calA gyaa| vikramAditya vizrAma karane lage / 6. kamalAvatI rAjasabhA kA kArya prArambha ho cukA thaa| yuvaka mahArAja vikramAditya mAlava ke rAjasiMhAsana para sUrya kI bhAMti zobhita ho rahe theM Aja rAjasabhA meM eka nayA AdamI AyA thA aura vaha eka kone meM baiThakara rAjasabhA kI kAryavAhI dekha rahA thaa| vikramAditya ko dekhakara usake mana meM aneka vicAra A rahe the| usane khar3e hokara rAjA ko AzIrvAda denA cAhA, , tIna-cAra bAra khar3e hone kA mana kiyA, para khar3A nahIM ho skaa| usane socA, rAjasabhA kI kAryavAhI ke bIca dakhala denA zobhAspada nahIM hotA / rAjasabhA ke mahAdaNDaka ne jaba zikAyata karane ke lie Ae logoM ko Age Ane ke lie kahA, taba vaha aparicita vyakti khar3A huA / mahAmaMtrI ne tatkAla kahA - 'rAjarAjezvara mahArAjA vikramAditya ke samakSa kucha zikAyata karanI ho, nissaMkocapUrvaka kro|' 'merI koI zikAyata nahIM hai.....' 'to phira Ane kA prayojana ?' 'mujhe mAtra AzIrvAda denaa| mahArAja vikramAditya ke kAnoM meM ye zabda ttkraae| unhoMne sAmane khar3e manuSya kI ora dekhA, dekhate hI tatkAla siMhAsana se uThe - 'are bhaTTamAtra ! mitra ! tuma acAnaka kahAM se? kisI bhI prakAra kA sandeza nahIM.... bhale manuSya ! tuma sIdhe rAjabhavana meM A jAte.... calo, aba mere pAsa Ao....' sArI sabhA bhaTTamAtra kI ora dekha rahI thI / bhaTTamAtra dhIre-dhIre calakara mahArAja vikramAditya ke pAsa gayA / vikramAditya prasannatA se galabAMha DAlakara usase mile aura bole- 'tumhArA avadhUta Aja hI rAjasiMhAsana kA sevaka banA hai.... ' 'nahIM mahArAja ! Apa svAmI bane haiN|' kahate hue bhaTTamAtra ne AzIrvAda dete hue zloka kahe / vikramAditya bole - 'mitra ! svAmI banane meM bandhana ho jAtA hai.... sevaka banane meM mukti kA Ananda prApta hotA hai.... / ' yaha kahakara unhoMne sabhA ke samakSa apane pravAsa-sAthI bhaTTamAtra aura usakI buddhizakti kA paricaya diyaa| 44 vIra vikramAditya

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sArI sabhA ne Ananda abhivyakta kiyA / aura usI samaya vikramAditya ne ghoSaNA karate hue kahA- 'Aja se maiM bhaTTamAtra ko apanA mahAmaMtrI niyukta karatA hUM aura apane nijI salAhakAra ke rUpa meM bhI inheM prasthApita karatA huuN|' sArI sabhA ne mahArAjA kA jaya-jayakAra kiyA / mahAmaMtrI buddhisAgara ke mukha para sahaja udAsI chA gaI / mahAmaMtrI kI ora dekhate hue vikramAditya bole - 'mahAmaMtrI jI ! Apake adhikAroM, maryAdAoM yA hitoM ko tanika bhI AMca nahIM aaegii| Apa nizciMta raheM / ' tatpazcAt buddhisAgara ne apane mahAmaMtrI pada kI mudrikA mahArAjA ke hAtha sauMpa dii| vikramAditya ne atyanta prasannatApUrvaka maMtrImudrikA bhaTTamAtra ko pahanAI aura parivAra ko tatkAla bulA lAne kA Adeza diyaa| harSollAsapUrvaka sabhA sampanna huI / mahArAjA vikramAditya bhaTTamAtra ko sAtha lekara rAjabhavana meM A ge| bhaTTamAtra do dina vahAM rhe| mahArAja ne bItI ghaTanAoM kA vistArapUrvaka varNana btaayaa| bhaTTamAtra apane parivAra ko lAne ke lie do ratha lekara ge| rAjya ke mahAmaMtrI hone ke kAraNa sAtha meM do sevaka aura cAra rakSaka bhI ge| pAMca dina ke bAda bhaTTamAtra apane parivAra ko lekara avaMtI nagarI meM A gae aura mahAmaMtrI pada para kArya karane lage / ekAdha saptAha meM hI mahAmaMtrI bhaTTamAtra apane uttama guNa aura susaMskAroM ke kAraNa rAjasabhA meM AdaraNIya bana gae aura eka dina ve maMtriyoM, nagaraseTha tathA anya saMbhrAnta vyaktiyoM ke sAtha mahArAjA vikramAditya ke pAsa ge| vikramAditya ne nagaraseTha kA AdarapUrvaka satkAra karate hue kahA- 'kyA bAta hai ? Aja saba ekatra hokara kaise Ae haiM ? kyA mere se koI bhUla ho gaI hai ?' 'bhUla ke zodhana ke lie hI to AnA par3atA hai|' nagaraseTha ne kahA / vikramAditya ko bar3A Azcarya huA - 'are ! maiMne kauna-sI bhUla kara DAlI / ' ve bole-'bhUla batAo, maiM usakA zodhana kruuNgaa|' bhaTTamAtra ne kahA-'kRpAnAtha ! rAjasiMhAsana kA vAma-bhAga kaba taka rikta rahegA ?' 'oha!' kahakara vikramAditya haMsa pdd'e| unhoMne naragaseTha kI ora unmukha hokara kahA - 'maiM isa bhUla kA saMzodhana zIghra hI kara lUMgA / mahAtmA bhartRhari kisI vIra vikramAditya 45

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bhI upAya se yahAM nahIM AeMge, isalie mujhe yogya aura kulIna kanyA ke sAtha pANigrahaNa kara lenA hogaa|' phira bhaTTamAtra kI ora dRSTi ghumAkara mahArAja bole- 'tuma aura buddhisAgara donoM isa ora prayatna kara sakate ho| mahAtmA bhartRhari rUpa se dagdha hue haiM, isalie rUpa nahIM, kula para vizeSa dRSTi rakhanA / guNa aura saMskArazUnya rUpa viSa meM pariNata ho jAtA hai|' bhaTTamAtra ne vinayapUrvaka kahA-'mahArAja! maiMne eka zreSTha kanyA dekhI hai|' vikramAditya ne prazna-bharI dRSTi se bhaTTamAtra kI ora dekhaa| bhaTTamAtra bolA- 'yahAM se Der3ha sau kosa dUra Anarta janapada ke eka kone meM lakSmIpura nAma kA eka nagara hai| vahAM vairIsiMha nAma kA rAjA rAjya karatA hai| usakI ekAkI putrI hai| usakA nAma hai kmlaavtii| vaha solaha varSa kI hai-catura, saMskArI aura pUrNa svsth|' nagaraseTha ne pUchA- 'rAjA ke eka hI saMtAna hai ?' 'nahIM, rAnI padmAvatI ne sAta putroM aura eka putrI ko janma dene kA saubhAgya pAyA hai|' bhaTTamAtra ne khaa| buddhisAgara bolA--'to phira rAjakumArI kA citra...' 'yadi mahArAja AjJA deM, to maiM zIghra hI maMgA luuNgaa|' abhI taka zAnti se sunane vAle mahArAjA vikramAditya ne mauna bhaMga kara kahA- 'mitra ! merI AjJA hai|' dUsare hI dina bhaTTamAtra ne lakSmIpura ke mahArAjA ke pAsa eka dUta bhejaa| usake sAtha eka patra bhI thaa| bArahaveM dina dUta lauTa aayaa| bhaTTamAtra ne kamalAvatI kI pratikRti mahArAja vikramAditya ko dikhaaii| rAjakumArI kamalAvatI kA citra atyanta AkarSaka thaa| nayana bhAva bhare the| mukhamudrA zAMta....lagatA thaa| vaha nirdoSa rUpa kI saritA hai| do dina taka vicAra claa| anta meM vikramAditya ne apanI sahamati de dii| phira kyA dera lagatI ! tatkAla lakSmIpura ke mahArAjA ke pAsa sAre samAcAra preSita kara diye| lakSmIpura ke rAjabhavana meM ye samAcAra phuNce| sabhI loga Ananda meM magna ho ge| ekAkI sundara aura saMskArI kanyA ko aisA tejasvI aura samartha rAjA pati ke rUpa meM prApta ho gyaa| 46 vIra vikramAditya

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lakSmIpura ke mahAmaMtrI, rAjapurohita aura adhInastha rAjA tatkAla avantI A phuNce| atyanta ullAsa ke sAtha vAgdAna vidhi sampanna huii| vivAha ke lie vaizAkha zuklA dasamI kA dina nirdhArita huaa| lakSmIpura ke mahAmaMtrI aura anya vyaktiyoM kA ucita sammAna kara unheM vidAI dii| tatkAla vivAha kI taiyArI prArambha ho gii| aura zubha muhUrta tathA maMgalamaya velA meM mahArAja vikramAditya ne apanI sAja-sajjA ke sAtha lakSmIpura kI ora prasthAna kiyaa| lakSmIpura kI janatA apanI priya rAjakumArI ke bhAvI pati mAlavanAtha vikramAditya ko dekhane ke lie utsuka ho rahI thii| mAlavapati kA svAgata karane ke lie rAjya kI ora se apUrva taiyArI kI gaI thii| janatA bhI adhika utsAha se svAgata meM sammilita huii| jo rAjA apanI prajA kA prema saMpAdita karatA hai, usa rAjA ke pratyeka prasaMga ko janatA apanA prasaMga mAnakara calatI hai; kyoMki rAjA svayaM prajA ke sukha meM sukha aura duHkha meM du:kha anubhava karatA hai| aura jo rAjA julma, bhaya yA adhikAra batAkara janatA para zAsana karatA hai, usa rAjA ke prati prajA ke anta:karaNa meM kisI bhI prakAra kA sadbhAva nahIM hotaa| ___ mahArAja vikramAditya apanI bArAta lekara lakSmIpura A phuNce| nAgarikoM ne abhUtapUrva svAgata kiyaa| mahArAja vairIsiMha aura mahArAnI padmAvatI apane dAmAda ko dekhakara parama prasanna hue| aisA pratApI, yuvA aura parAkramI dAmAda puNya yoga se hI prApta hotA hai| - yathAsamaya vidhivat vivAha kI rasma pUrI huii| mahArAjA vikramAditya kI ora se pUrI nagarI ko bhojana ke lie nimaMtrita kiyA gyaa| donoM pakSoM ne bahuta dAna diyaa| mahArAjA vairIsiMha kI bhAvanA ko Adara dete hue bArAta cAra dina adhika TikI rhii| kanyA kI vidAI kA samaya A gyaa| mAtA-pitA ke ghara ko chor3akara jaba kanyA dUsare ghara ko apanA ghara banAne jAtI hai, taba mAtA-pitA ke hRdaya meM atyadhika pIr3A hotI hai| isa pIr3A kI kalpanA karanA bhI sahaja nahIM hai| yaha vedanA patthara-dila ko bhI pighalA detI hai| vIra vikramAditya 47

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aura kanyA ke anta:karaNa kI vedanA gurutara hotI hai....kintu usake mana meM jIvana-sAthI ke sAtha naye jIvana kI eka AzA usake hRdaya ko Anandita karatI rahatI hai| nagarI se cAra kosa kI dUrI taka rAjA vairIsiMha, mahArAnI padmAvatI tathA anya rAniyAM, maMtrI aura subhaTa Adi hajAroM loga pahuMcAne Aye the| usa sthAna para kanyA ke sAtha antima milana karate samaya mAtA padmAvatI ne kahA- 'putrI ! tuma apane pitRkula kI paramparA kA dhyAna rakhanA, usakI zobhA bar3hAnA.... ___ 'tumhAre puNyodaya se uttama vara aura rAjya milA hai| yadi tuma ijjata ko pacA logI to tumhArA bhavana svarga bana jaayegaa|' mahArAjA vairIsiMha putrI ko chAtI se lagAte hue bole- 'kamalA beTI! tU samajhadAra hai| tujhe kucha kahane kI jarUrata nahIM hai....kintu mujhe mAtra itanA hI kahanA hai ki prApta saubhAgya ko surakSita rakhane ke lie hRdaya kI pavitratA aura udAratA ko banAye rakhanA....saMsAra meM amRta ko pacAne vAle aneka mila sakate haiM, para viSa pacAne vAle kI zakti virala meM hI hotI hai| tujhe yaha zakti prApta ho, yahI kAmanA hai|' rAjakanyA ke sAtoM bhAiyoM ne bahana ko sajala nayanoM se vidAI dete hue kahA- 'bahana! hameM bhUla mata jAnA, jo pyAra tumane hameM diyA, use hama bhUla nahIM skte|' vikramAditya ne bhI sAsa aura sasura ke caraNoM meM praNAma kara prasthAna kiyaa| kamalAvatI eka sajjita ratha meM ArUr3ha thii| usake sAtha do paricArikAeM baiThI thiiN| Age ke ratha meM mahArAja vikramAditya, unake eka mitra aura bhaTTamAtra baiThe the| lakSmIpura ke mahArAjA ne apanI ekAkI lADalI ko pracura dhana diyA thaa| bArAta avaMtI ke mArga para Age bddh'ii| 10. rAjarSi kA Agamana avaMtInAtha mahArAjA vikramAditya aura mahArAnI kamalAvatI kA bhavya svAgata avaMtI ke nara-nAriyoM ne kiyaa| aisA abhUtapUrva svAgata usa dina bhI nahIM huA thA, jisa dina mahArAja bhartRhari ne anaMgasenA ke sAtha avaMtI meM praveza kiyA thaa| 48 vIra vikramAditya

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mahArAja vikramAditya ko vaibhava kA AkarSaNa nahIM thaa| ve apanI jIvanasaMginI kI mahattA dekha rahe the| pandraha dina ke sahavAsa ke pazcAt ve jAna sake ki jaisI patnI ve cAhate the, vaisI hI unheM prApta huI hai / kamalAvatI meM rUpa thA, para rUpa kA garva nahIM thA / usameM yauvana thA, para yauvana kI caMcalatA nahIM thI / usakA hRdaya prema, ullAsa aura Ananda se chalaka rahA thaa| kisI bhI navavivAhita vyakti ko jIvana ke prathama prahara meM apanI patnI atyanta sundara aura sarvaguNa sampanna hI lagatI hai .... vikramAditya isa satya ko jAnate the aura unhoMne patnI ke anta:karaNa meM eka pativratA kA hI svarUpa dekhA thA / mahArAnI ne kevala pandraha dina kI choTI avadhi meM rAjaparivAra aura rAjabhavana ke sabhI dAsa-dAsiyoM kA prema saMpAdita kara liyA thA / eka dina rAtri kI velA meM mahArAja vikramAditya aura mahArAnI kamalAvatI bAtacIta kara rahe the| bAta-hI-bAta meM mahAdevI anaMgasenA kA prasaMga chir3a gyaa| vikrama ne prazna karate hue kamalAvatI se pUchA - 'priye ! tumane anaMgasenA kA vRttAMta suna liyA hogA ?' 'hAM, svAmI! kintu usa vRttAnta ko jAnane meM mujhe rasa nahIM hai| manuSya jaba mana kI caMcalatA kA dAsa banatA hai, taba vaha mArgacyuta ho jAtA hai| aisA hotA hai, isIlie to yaha saMsAra vicitra mAyAjAla kahalAtA hai|' kamalA ne kahA / 'tuma saca kaha rahI ho, kamalA ! bhAbhIjI kI ghaTanA ko sunakara mere mana meM kyA pratikriyA huI, vaha maiM tumheM batAnA cAhatA huuN|' 'Apa na kaheM to bhI maiM samajha cukI huuN|' 'bolo, kyA samajhA hai tumane ?' 'nArI jAti ke prati Apake mana meM ghRNA utpanna ho gaI hogI ?' 'satya kaha rahI ho tuma...' 'aba Age.....?' 'kamalA, tumheM prApta karane ke pazcAt merA bhrama TUTa cukA hai| maiM samajha cukA hUM ki AryAvarta kI nArI nirmala, pavitra aura Adarza rUpa hotI hai| apavAda mArga ko nahIM dekhanA cAhie....apavAda saMzaya paidA karatA hai|' kahate hue vikramAditya priyatamA kA hAtha pakar3a liyA / kamalA madhura dRSTi se svAmI ke tejasvI aura vizAla nayanoM kI ora dekhatI rahI / vIra vikramAditya 46

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kucha kSaNoM taka mauna chAyA rahA, donoM nahIM bole.... aMta meM vikrama ne kahA, 'AMkhoM meM kyA dekha rahI ho ?' 'merA hRdaya ....' ' aura vaha bhI merI AMkhoM meM ?' 'hAM, patnI kA hRdaya pati kI AMkhoM meM pUrNa hokara hI saubhAgya prApta kara sakatA hai|' itanA kahakara kamalA ne svAmI ke vakSasthala meM apanA sira chipA liyA / kiyA.... T 'priya!" kahakara vikramAditya ne donoM hAthoM se kamalA kA muMha UMcA .... kamalA kI AMkheM kamala jaisI ho gaI thIM / vikrama ne patnI ke adharoM para adhara TikAkara eka dIrgha cumbana liyA aura phira kahA- 'kamalA ! mujhe eka vicAra satAtA rahatA hai|' patnI ne pati kI ora praznabharI dRSTi se dekhA / vikrama bole- 'maiM sadA tumhArI prasannatA prApta karatA rahUM.... isalie mana meM icchA hotI hai ki maiM eka patnIvrata kI prtijnyaa.....|' vikramAditya apanA vAkya pUrA kareM, usase pahale hI kamalA ne unake muMha para hAtha rakhate hue kahA- 'hAM....hAM.... aisI koI pratijJA na kareM / ' 'kyoM?' 'priye! milana kI prathama rAtri meM Apane jo mujhe kahA thA, kyA use bhUla gae ?' 'kauna-sI bAta ?' 'jyotiSI kA kathana / ' 'oha, zatAdhika patniyAM hoMgI - nahIM - nahIM, mujhe jyotiSI ko jhUThA karanA hai, kamalA ! tumhAre aura mere bIca koI dUsarA Ae, yaha maiM nahIM cAhatA / ' kamalA muskarAtI rhii| 'kyoM muskarA rahI ho ?' - 'svAmin! jisa jyotiSI kI anyAnya bAteM sahI hotI haiM, phira yaha bAta jhUThI kaise ho sakatI hai ? aura eka bAta hai, Apa mAlava deza ke adhipati haiManeka rAjakanyAeM Apake pati rUpa meM svIkAra karane ke lie lAlAyita ho sakatI haiM, isalie Apa jaise tejasvI aura manohArI puruSa ke lie ekapatnIvrata zobhA nahIM detA-aura Apa jaise samartha aura zaktizAlI puruSa ko to vaha zobhA de hI nahIM sakatA hai / ' vikramAditya ne kamalA ko chAtI se lagAte hue kahA- 'phira tumhArA aura merA.... / ' 50 vIra vikramAditya

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bIca meM kamalA bola uThI- 'mere mana meM koI bhaya nahIM hai| zrIkRSNa ke kitanI rAniyAM thIM, phira bhI unake sAMsArika jIvana meM kahIM visaMvAda nahIM thaa|' 'phira bhI....' "phira bhI kucha nahIM-mere aura Apake mana kA jo lagAva ho cukA hai, usako vidhAtA bhI nahIM tor3a skte| vizvAsa hI strI kA saccA dhana hai, pausva hai|' kamalA ne khaa| isa prakAra Ananda, prema aura bhAvanAoM ke cAra mAsa vyatIta ho ge| vikramAditya aisI vyavasthA karane lage, jisase prajA ko jyAdA-se-jyAdA sukhasuvidhA upalabdha ho ske| ___ vikrama kI yaha bhAvanA thI ki mAlava deza meM koI bhI vyakti du:khI na rhe| unhoMne maMtriyoM se maMtraNA kara rAjyakarmacAriyoM ko yaha nirdeza diyA ki rAjyavyavasthA kI ora se prajA ko tanika bhI du:kha nahIM honA caahie| prajA ke dhArmika, Arthika aura sAmAjika rIti-rivAjoM meM rAjya kA koI hastakSepa nahIM honA caahie| vikramAditya ne kara-bhAra kama kara diyA tathA vyApArI aura kisAnoM ko vizeSa riyAyata dekara unakA mArga prazasta kiyaa| isa prakAra udAra rAjanIti ke kAraNa vikramAditya ke prati prajA kA sadbhAva zataguNita ho gyaa| itane samaya taka zikAyata karane vAle prajAjanoM ko rAjasabhA meM hI upasthita honA par3atA thaa| ve vahAM phariyAda karane meM hicakicAte the| mahArAja vikramAditya ne isameM saMzodhana kara zikAyata karane vAlA koI bhI vyakti rAjabhavana meM A sakatA hai, aisI ghoSaNA krvaaii| isa prakAra vikramAditya ke rAjyakAla kA prArambha logoM ke Ananda aura maMgala bhAvanA se ujjvala ho rahA thaa| __ aura eka dina avaMtI kI janatA ke jaya-jayakAra se sArA gaganamaMDala dhvanita ho utthaa| mahAtmA bhartRhari nagarI ke eka udyAna meM A gae the| yaha samAcAra sunakara nagarI kI pUrI janatA apane tyAgI-vairAgI rAjA ke darzana karane ke lie umar3a pdd'ii| mahArAja vikramAditya ko rAjarSi ke Agamana kI sUcanA milii| ve apane parivAra, maMtrimaMDala, sAmaMta, subhaTa aura senAnAyakoM se parivRta hokara nagara ke bAhara sthita udyAna kI ora rAjarSi ke darzanArtha upasthita hue| vIra vikramAditya 51

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madhyAhna taka sArA nagara rAjazUnya-sA ho gayA aura udyAna jana-saMkulasA bana gyaa| sabhI paurajana rAjarSi bhartRhari kI zaraNa meM A ge| mAlavapati apane parivAra ke sAtha rAjarSi ke caraNoM meM upasthita hue| sabhI ne rAjarSi kI caraNaraja apane mastaka para cddh'aaii| rAjarSi ne sabako AzIrvAda diyaa| mahAmaMtrI bhaTTamAtra ne kahA- 'mahAtman! Apake caraNa-sparza se Aja yaha dharatI puNyamayI banI hai| aba Apa rAjabhavana meM padhArane kI kRpA kreN|' _ 'mahAtman ! merI bhI yahI vinamra prArthanA hai| Apa ise svIkAra kreN|' vikramAditya ne gadgada svaroM meM khaa| bhartRhari ne prasanna dRSTi se vikrama kI ora dekhate hue kahA- 'rAjan! mujhe yahIM Ananda hai-tyAgI-tapasvI vyaktiyoM ke lie rAjabhavana ucita nahIM hotaa|' vikramAditya ne bahuta Agraha kiyA, taba rAjarSi bole- 'maiM kala mAdhukarI bhikSA lene rAjabhavana aauuNgaa|' AdhI rAta taka loga udyAna meM DaTe rhe| rAtri ke aMtima prahara meM mahArAja vikramAditya rAjabhavana kI ora prasthita hue| prAta:kAla huaa| rAjabhavana meM rAjarSi ke Agamana kI taiyAriyAM hone lgiiN| mahArAnI kamalAvatI atyanta vyasta thiiN| logoM kA pravAha rAjabhavana kI ora umar3a rahA thA, kintu mahAtmA bhartRhari ko mArga meM Ane meM koI kaThinAI yA avarodha na ho, isalie rAjya kI ora se pUrI vyavasthA kI gaI thii| ___ mAdhukarI ke lie rAjarSi udyAna se cle| mArga meM nAgarikoM kA praNAma svIkAra karate-karate ve rAjabhavana kI sopAna zreNI ke pAsa pahuMceM logoM kI bhIr3a apAra thii| mahArAja vikramAditya aura mahAmaMtrI sopAna zreNI ke pAsa khar3e raha ge| mahApratihAra mahAtmA bhartRhari ko rAjabhavana meM le ge| usa samaya Upara kI maMjila meM mahArAnI kamalAvatI snAna kara rahI thiiN| eka dAsI ne mahAtmA bhartRhari ke Agamana kI sUcanA dii| yaha sunakara mahArAnI eka bhIge vastra meM khar3I ho giiN| kucheka nAgarika rAjabhavana ke bhItara praveza pAne ke lie prayatna kara rahe the| mahApratihAra unheM vahIM rokane kI vyavasthA meM juTa ge| mahAtmA bhartRhari zAnta bhAva se UparI maMjila kI sopAna zreNI car3hane lge| 52 vIra vikramAditya

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11. sAhasa kI preraNA mahAtmA bhartRhari mAdhukarI bhikSA lekara tatkAla lauTane hI vAle the aura ve svastha-mana sahita Upara kI maMjila para pahuMca ge| ThIka usI samaya mahArAnI kamalAvatI mAtra eka vastra pahane snAnagRha se bAhara nikalIM aura vastrakakSa kI ora jAne lgiiN| mahAtmA bhartRhari kI dRSTi svAbhAvika rUpa se usa ora gaI - rAnI kamalAvatI kI dRSTi bhI rAjarSi para pdd'ii| usakA mana lajjA se bhara gayA - mAtra eka vastra svarNamaya zarIra para veSTita thaa| unnata uroja spaSTa rUpa se dIkha rahe the - alpa vastra ke kAraNa usakA rUpa lAvaNya candramA kI bhAMti bikhara rahA thA / kintu mahAtmA bhartRhari tatkAla pIche mudd'e| yaha dekhakara kamalAvatI lajjA kA tyAga kara tatkAla rAjarSi kI tarapha usI sthiti meM zIghratA se paira bar3hAtI huI Age bar3hI aura mRdu-maMjula svara meM bolI- 'bhagavan ! Apa mur3a kaise gae ?' mahAtmA bhartRhari khar3e raha gae aura nIcI dRSTi kie hue bole - 'bhAgyavatI ! sAdhu ko dRSTi kI pavitratA aura bhAva - maryAdA kA dhyAna rakhanA caahie|' 'maiM samajhI nahIM / ' 'bhadre! saMsArI vyakti aura tyAgI muni kI maryAdAoM meM bahuta bar3A antara hotA hai| strI ko snAnAvasthA meM dekhakara sAdhu mAdhukarI bhI nahIM lete|' 'kRpAnAtha ! kSamA kareM, maiM eka prazna pUchanA cAhatI huuN|' 'prasannatA se / ' 'Apa sAmane khaNDa meM virAjeM - maiM abhI AtI huuN|' rAnI ne kahA / do paricArikAeM dUra khar3I thiiN| mahAtmA bhartRhari usa khaMDa kI ora cala par3e / rAnI kamalAvatI tvarita gati se vastrakhaMDa meM gaIM / nIce bhayaMkara kolAhala ho rahA thaa| hajAroM nara-nArI rAjarSi kI jayajayakAra kara rahe the aura darzana karane ke lie utAvale ho rahe the| mahApratihAra, bhavana ke dAsa-dAsI, maMtrI varga aura svayaM mAlavanAtha vikramAditya bhI lAgoM ko samajhAne meM laga rahe the / jisa bhavana meM pUrA rAjasukha samAyA huA hai, jisa bhavana ke pratyeka khaMDa meM aura bhavana kI pratyeka bhitti para anaMgasenA ke prema kA mAdhurya citrita hai, jisake kaNa-kaNa meM priyA aura priyatama ke bhAvagIta citrita par3e haiM - usa sthAna para Akara bhI mahAtmA bhartRhari apane hRdaya para eka choTI-sI smRti bhI nahIM ubharane dete, mAno vIra vikramAditya 53

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ki isa bhavana ke sAtha kabhI koI saMbaMdha rahA hI na ho, aise nirvikAra bhAva se ve khaMDa meM nIce mRgacarma bichAkara baiTha ge| mahArAnI kamalAvatI kucha hI samaya meM vastra dhAraNa kara usa khaMDa meM A pahaMcI aura rAjarSi ko namaskAra kara bolIM- 'bhagavan ! bhojana kA thAla taiyAra karane kI AjJA karUM?' 'nahIM, mAM ! maiM apane hI pAtra meM AhAra grahaNa karUMgA, parantu pahale Apa apanA prshn....|' 'hAM, parantu usa prazna se Apako du:kha hogaa|' 'mAtA! sAdhuko sukha-du:kha kI cintA nahIM hotI-Apa saMkoca ko tyAga kara kheN|' 'bhagavan ! Apane strI ko strI rUpa meM kyoM dekhA? muni ko jaise svarNa aura mATI meM koI pharka najara nahIM AtA, usI prakAra jisa kisI veza yA rUpa meM khar3I huI strI meM bheda kyoM hotA hai ?' kamalAvatI ne khaa| ___mahArAnI kamalAvatI kA yaha prazna sunakara mahAtmA bhartRhari cauMke-unakI AMkhoM meM prakAza kI eka rekhA khacita huI-ve atyanta prasannadRSTi se kamalAvatI kI ora dekhane lge| ve prazna kA kucha uttara deM, usase pUrva hI janatA ko samajhAbujhAkara mahArAjA vikramAditya, maMtrI varga, mahApratihAra Adi mahAtmA ko DhUMDhateDhUMDhate A phuNce| sabhI ke A jAne para bhI rAnI kamalAvatI usI bhAva se vahIM baiThI rhiiN| vikramAditya tathA sabhI ne mahAtmA bhartRhari ko sASTAMga daMDavat praNAma kiyaa| mahAtmA ne sabakI ora premabharI dRSTi se dekhaa| sabhI bhUmi para hI baiTha ge| rAjarSi ne kamalAvatI kI ora najara ghumAkara kahA-'Aja tumane mere mana ke kone meM chipe par3e ajJAna ko dUra kiyA hai| mana kA aMdhakAra manuSya ke maMgalamaya mArga meM ror3A aTakAtA rahA hai-bAhya dRSTi se pAlana kiyA jAne vAlA AcAra mAtra vyavahAra dRSTi se upakArI hotA hai aura ajJAnI jIva lar3akhar3A na jAeM isalie Avazyaka hotA hai, kintu Atma-sAkSAtkAra ke lie nizcayadRSTi upakAraka hotI hai| merA yaha uddezya hone para bhI Aja taka mere mana meM eka ajJAnavAsa kara rahAthA... zatru-mitra, strI kA rUpa, tRNa, sonA, patthara, maNi, mRttikA tathA saMsAra aura mokSa-ina sabake prati jaba taka maiM samadRSTi vAlA nahIM banatA taba taka maiM svayaM ko nahIM pahacAna sakatA-Aja se maiM samadRSTi prApta karane kI ora prayatna kruuNgaa|' kamalAvatI ye zabda sunakara mahAtmA bhartRhari ke caraNoM meM jhuka gii| 54 vIra vikramAditya

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tatpazcAt mahAtmA bhartRhari ne vikramAditya kI ora mur3akara kahA-'rAjan! tumhArI sahadharmiNI sAkSAt sarasvatI hai- mere mana kA aMdhakAra usake eka prazna se dUra ho gyaa|' vaha prazna kyA thA, vikrama ko jAnane kI icchA huI, para ve kucha bole nhiiN| phira mahAtmA bhartRhari ne dharmopadeza diyaa| upadeza sunakara sabakA mana atyanta prasanna huaa| mahAmaMtrI bhaTTamAtra ne kahA- 'bhaMte ! Apa kucha dina rAjabhavana meM raheM to.... bIca meM hI rAjarSi ne kahA- 'rAjabhavana yA tapovana-Aja se mere lie donoM samAna haiN| kintu vyavahAra dRSTi kI upekSA karane se bhaviSya meM hone vAle sAdhu-saMtoM ke mArgacyuta hone kA nimitta upasthita hotA hai, isalie Apa kisI bhI prakAra kA Agraha na kreN|' aisA hI huaa| thor3e samaya pazcAt mahAtmA bhartRhari rAnI kamalAvatI ke hAthoM se mAdhukarI prApta kara nIce utre| nIce hajAroM nara-nArI unakI pratIkSA kara rahe the| mahAtmA bhartRhari ne sabako dharma meM dRr3ha rahane aura sadAcArI jIvana jIne kA upadeza diyaa| phira ve udyAna kI ora cala pdd'e| saMdhyA ke samaya rAjaparivAra ke sAtha mahArAjA vikramAditya udyAna meM gae aura kucha samaya takaM mahAtmA ke caraNoM meM baiThakara lauTa aae| , prAta:snAna Adi se nivRtta hokara mahArAja dugdhapAna karane baiThe the...vahAM eka dUta ne Akara kahA- 'kRpAvatAra! Aja prAta:kAla se pUrva hI mahAtmA bhartRhari yahAM se vihAra kara gae haiN|' 'Aja hI vihAra kara gae?' vikramAditya ko Azcarya huaa| vikramAditya ne unakI khabara prApta karane ke lie cAroM ora subhaToM ko bhejA....para saba khAlI hAtha lauTa aae| aura eka dina rAjasabhA meM bhArI camatkAra ghaTita huaa| eka sundara, catura aura prabhAvazAlI paradezI cAraNa mahAsabhA meM A pahuMcA thaa| jaba rAjasabhA ke mukhya daMDaka ne zikAyata karane vAle ko khar3e hokara zikAyata karane ke lie kahA, taba vaha cAraNa khar3A ho gyaa| sArI sabhA usa sundara cAraNa ko nihArane lgii| _mahArAja vikramAditya bhI usa cAraNa kI ora dekhane lge| aisA tejasvI rUpa bhAgya se hI dekhane ke lie milatA hai| surUpa, svastha aura sudRr3ha puruSa ko dekhakara koI bhI strI usake prati AkRSTa ho, yaha svAbhAvika hai, para usa cAraNa ko dekhakara rAjasabhA meM baiThe hue sabhI vyakti stabdha-se ho gae the| vIra vikramAditya 55

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cAraNa bolA- 'mAlavanAtha mahArAja vikramAditya kI jaya ho ! kRpAnAtha ! maiM cAraNa huuN| merA nAma devakIrti hai / mahAmaMtrI bhaTTamAtra ne kahA- 'Apako jo phariyAda karanI ho, vaha ni:saMkoca rUpa se kareM....mAlavapati ApakI phariyAda para avazya vicAra kareMge / ' devakIrti cAraNa ne bhaTTamAtra kI ora dekhate hue kahA - 'mahAmaMtrIzvara ! maiM phariyAda karane nahIM AyA hUM..... kintu eka sAhasa karane kI preraNA dene AyA hUM / ' ye zabda sunakara sArI sabhA cakita raha gaI / sAhasa kI preraNA ? mahAmaMtrI ne prazna kiyA- 'sAhasa kI preraNA ?' 'hAM, maMtrIzvara! maiM aneka rAjyoM meM ghUmA hUM..... aneka rAjAoM ko bhI dekhA hai ..... kintu bAnabe lAkha kI janasaMkhyA vAle mAlava deza ke adhipati vikramAditya ko dekhane para lagA ki ye puruSa jAti kA mahAn upakAra kara sakate haiN|' vikramAditya ko bhI mahAn Azcarya ho rahA thA..... devakIrti kI bAta samajha nahIM A rahI thii| mahAmaMtrI ne kahA - 'puruSa jAti para mahAn upakAra karane kI bAta samajha meM nahIM A rahI hai..... yadi Apa vistAra se kaheM to isa bAta para vicAra kiyA jA sakatA hai / ' 'maiM Apako vistAra se batAne ke lie hI AyA huuN| dakSiNa bhArata meM pratiSThAnapura nAmaka eka bar3A rAjya hai| usake rAjarAjezvara mahArAja zAlivAhana dharmapremI, sadguNI aura pavitra rAjA haiN| unake sataraha varSa kI eka kanyA hai| usakA nAma hai sukumArI / usakA rUpa asAmAnya hai .... usake zarIra kI AbhA gulAbI hai| usake nayana gulAbI yauvana kI prathama rekhAoM se manohara dikhAI dete haiN| dekhane vAlA socatA hai ki usako ekaTaka nihAratA hI rahUM aura vizeSa bAta yaha hai ki rAjakumArI sukumArI nRtya aura saMgIta meM bejor3a hai| usake samakSa svarga kI apsarAoM kA, devakanyAoM kA aura padminI nArI kA varNana bhI phIkA-phIkA hai| aisA rUpa, ubharatA huA yauvana aura sapramANa zarIra - maiMne kahIM nahIM dekhA..... mAlavanAtha ! aura adhika kyA kahUM? saMsAra ke kisI kavi ke pAsa aise zabda nahIM haiM ki vaha rAjakanyA kA nakha-zikha-varNana kara ske| yaha kanyA sabhI dRSTiyoM se uttama aura zreSTha hone para bhI, jAti ke prati atyanta dveSa rakhatI hai..... koI bhI puruSa usake samakSa jA nahIM sakatA.... yadi bhUlA bhaTakA koI bhI puruSa usake AvAsa meM calA jAtA hai, to tatkAla usakA vadha kara diyA jAtA hai| apanI priya kanyA kI yaha vRtti dekhakara mahArAjA zAlivAhana ne usake lie eka alaga bhavana kI vyavasthA kI hai, vahAM koI bhI puruSa nahIM jA sktaa| koI sAhasI puruSa rAjakanyA ko prApta karane ke lie jAtA hai, to marakara hI bAhara nikalatA hai| aisI sundara aura uttama rAjakanyA 56 vIra vikramAditya

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ko Aja taka koI bhI puruSa apane vaza meM nahIM kara sakA hai| koI puruSa usako apanI ora AkRSTa nahIM kara pAyA hai| puruSa jAti para mahAn upakAra karane kI dRSTi se maiM Apase prArthanA karane AyA huuN|' yaha sunakara sArI sabhA avAk raha gii| naujavAna vikramAditya ne kahAcAraNadeva ! maiMne Aja taka isa prakAra koI strI puruSa dveSiNI hotI ho, aisA sunA nahIM hai| aisA kyoM huA tathA isakI vizeSa jAnakArI prApta karane ke lie mujhe kyA karanA cAhie.... yadi Apa kaheMge to acchA rahegA / ' cAraNakIrti ne kahA- 'mahArAja ! mere pAsa rAjakanyA kA citra bhI hai aura vaha puruSa - dveSiNI kyoM banI, isakA vivaraNa bhI hai| yadi Apa mujhe rAjabhavana meM milane kI AjJA deM to maiM Apako vistAra se sArI bAta batA skuuNgaa|' cAraNa devakIrti kI yaha bAta tatkAla mAna lI gaI aura rAjasabhA samApta hone ke pazcAt mahArAja vikramAditya devakIrti ko sAtha lekara rAjabhavana kI ora prasthita hue / 12. priyA kI preraNA mahArAja vikramAditya ne cAraNa devakIrti ko bhojana karane kA Agraha kiyA, taba devakIrti ne prasannatA se kahA- 'rAjan ! maiM zrIjinezvara deva kA upAsaka hUM... Aja maiMne annajala grahaNa karane kA parityAga kiyA hai| Apa nizcintatA se bhojana kareM / ' mahArAja vikramAditya ne devakIrti ko baiThaka - khaMDa meM biThAyA aura svayaM bhojana ke nimitta apane Upara ke khaMDa meM ge| usa samaya rAnI kamalAvatI svAmI kI pratIkSA meM baiThI thI / svAmI ko Ate dekhakara vaha uThI aura haMsate hue bolI, 'Aja rAjasabhA meM vilamba ho gayA lagatA hai / ' 'hAM, priye ! Aja yadi tuma vahAM rahatI to eka AzcaryakArI bAta sunatI / ' 'mujhe aisI koI kalpanA hI nahIM thI.... aba Apa klimba na kareM... vastraparivartana kara bhojana-gRha meM pdhaareN| maiM vahAM taiyArI karatI hUM.....phira mujhe vaha sArI bAta batAeM / ' kamalAvatI ne kahA / mukuTa Adi ko eka tripadI para rakhate hue vikramAditya bole - 'kamalA ! Aja tumheM mere sAtha hI bhojana karanA hai.... phira nIce ke kakSa meM cleNge| vahAM vaha sArI AzcaryakArI ghaTanA sunane ko milegI / ' kamalAvatI tatkAla bhojanagRha kI ora gaI / lagabhaga do ghaTikA ke pazcAt mahArAjA vikramAditya aura mahArAnI kamalAvatI - donoM baiThaka - khaMDa meM A gaye / vIra vikramAditya 57

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devakIrti ne Asana se uThakara mahArAja aura mahArAnI ko AzIrvAda diyaa| mahArAja aura mahArAnI ne cAraNadeva ko namaskAra kiyaa| vikrama ne kahA'kSamA kareM, cAraNadeva! Apako maiMne itane samaya taka biThAye rakhA....' 'kRpAnAtha! aisA na kaheM....merA ahobhAgya hai ki Aja maiM Apake AvAsa meM A sakA aura satI mahArAnI ko dekha skaa|' devakIrti ne khaa| phira tInoM Asana para baitthe| vikramAditya ne devakIrti se kahA-'aba Apa mahArAja zAlivAhana kI nara-dveSiNI kanyA kI bAta kheN| mahAdevI, vaha bAta sunanA....' bIca meM devakIrti bola par3A- 'mahAdevI ko bAta sunakara bahuta Ananda AyegA aura merI bhAvanA ko bhI sahArA milegaa|' kamalAvatI ne kahA- 'ApakI bhAvanA ko sahArA.....samajhI nhiiN|' 'jaba Apa bAta suneMgI taba saba kucha samajha meM A jAyegA / dakSiNa bhArata meM pratiSThAnapura nAma kA eka bar3A rAjya hai| mahArAja zAlivAhana vahAM rAjya karate haiN| paTarAnI kA nAma vijayA hai| donoM saMskArI aura dhArmika haiN| rAjA ke pAMca putra aura eka putrI hai| putrI kA rUpa anupama hai....svargaloka meM bhI aisA rUpa durlabha hai| vaha nRtya aura saMgIta meM niSNAta hai| vaha sataraha varSa kI hai aura rUpalAvaNya ke yoga se Aja bhuvanamohinI bana gaI hai| kintu rAjakanyA jaba sAta varSa kI thI taba use pUrvajanma kA jJAna huaa| vaha usa bhava meM apane pati dvArA atyanta pIr3ita aura uttApita kI gaI thI, kintu kisI puNya ke saMyoga se vaha isa janma meM rAjA ke yahAM rAjakumArI bnii| apane pati dvArA kiye gae anyAya kI smRti ke kAraNa vaha puruSadveSiNI bana gii| jaba vaha teraha varSa kI huI, taba yaha dveSa parAkASThA para pahuMca gyaa| usake pAsa koI bhI puruSa jAtA to vaha usakA vadha karA ddaaltii| rAjA isa vRtti se vyAkula ho utthaa| mahArAnI bhI vyathita ho gaI....ekAkI sundara kanyA ke lie kyA kiyA jAe? usa kanyA ke hAtha se kisI bhI puruSa kA vadha na ho, isalie mahArAjA zAlivAhana ne usake lie eka alaga mahala banavAkara vahAM rakhA hai| vahAM kAma karane tathA rakSA Adi ke kArya meM striyAM hI niyukta haiN| isa prakAra vaha rAjakumArI aba sataraha varSa pUre kara rahI hai| usake bhAI bhI vahAM nahIM A-jA sakate, kevala pitA zAlivAhana vahAM jA sakate haiN| unake sivA koI bhI puruSa yadi usa mahala meM praveza karatA hai, vaha marA huA hI bAhara nikalatA hai| rAjakumArI usakA ziraccheda karA detI hai| rAjakumArI atyanta sundara hai| usakI sundaratA kA varNana karane meM maiM bhI asamartha huuN| usa rAjakanyA ko koI apane vaza meM kara sake, aisA puruSa maiMne Aja taka kahIM nahIM dekhA....kevala Apako dekhane para mana meM AzA baMdhI hai ki 58 vIra vikramAditya

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Apa usa rAjakanyA ko vaza meM kara puruSa jAti para upakAra kara sakate haiN| kRpAnAtha ! pUrva-janma kI smRti ke kAraNa hI usake mana meM yaha viparItatA AyI hai| jaba Apa usakA citrAMkana dekheMge, taba Apako jJAta hogA ki saMsAra meM aisI sundara kanyA bhAgya se hI prApta hotI hai....' kahate hue devakIrti ne zveta vastra se DhaMkA huA citra vikramAditya ko dikhAyA / citra ko dekhakara vikramAditya ke muMha se nikala par3A - 'vAha ! ' kucha kSaNa citrAMkana dekhane meM bIta ge| mahAdevI kamalA ne kahA - ' cAraNadeva ! aise saundarya kA varNana kisI se nahIM ho sakatA / ' vikramAditya ne premabharI dRSTi se kamalAvatI kI ora dekhakara kahA'nizcita hI rAjakanyA atyanta sundara hai.... jaba eka strI kisI dUsarI strI meM mugdha ho jAtI hai, taba usake rUpa meM koI doSa nahIM batAyA jA sktaa|' kahakara vikramAditya ne citra kamalA ke hAtha meM thamAkara cAraNadeva se kahA- 'aba Apa yahAM kucha dina tthhreN| Aja ApakA upavAsa hai, isalie Atithya kA hameM avasara hI nahIM milaa| phira maiM isa citra ko dekhakara jo nirNaya lUMgA, vaha Apako jJAta ho jaayegaa| yaha citra mere pAsa rahe, to Apako koI Apatti to nahIM hai ? ' 'yaha citra Apa rakheM.... Apa puruSa jAti kA kalyANa kareM....mahArAja ! maiM aura adhika nahIM Thahara sakatA, mujhe Aja hI lauTa jAnA hai|' 'yahAM Apako koI kaSTa...... ' 'kSamA kareM rAjan, yadi maiM Thahara sakatA, to Agraha nahIM karAtA / ' vikramAditya ne bAhara khar3e mahApratihAra ajayasena ko tatkAla bulA bhejA aura usake kAna meM kucha kahA / - devakIrti saba kucha samajha gyaa| usake muMha para muskarAhaTa chA gii| ajayasena tatkAla khaMDa se bAhara A gayA / mahArAnI kamalAvatI ne bhI rukane kA Agraha kiyA / itane meM hI ajayasena eka thAla lekara A phuNcaa| usa thAla meM svarNa mudrAeM, ratnajaTita svarNAbharaNa aura eka kazmIrI dupaTTA thaa| mahApratihAra thAla lekara mahArAja ke pAsa khar3A rhaa| mahArAja vikramAditya mahApratihAra ke hAtha se thAla lekara cAraNadeva ke pAsa jAkara bole- 'cAraNadeva ! Apake na rukane kA kAraNa maiM samajha nahIM sakA.....maiM adhika Agraha kara Apako kaSTa denA nahIM caahtaa| Apa jaba cAheM taba jA sakate haiN| kevala yaha bheMTa Apa svIkAra kareM / ' vIra vikramAditya 56

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devakIrti ne mahArAjA ke hAtha se thAla lekara eka ora rakhate hue kahA'rAjan ! maiM dhanya huA / ApakI bhAvanA dekhakara mujhe apanA asalI svarUpa prakaTa karanA par3a rahA hai....' yaha kahakara usane apanI AMkha mUMda lii| kucha hI kSaNoM ke pazcAt sabane AzcaryabharI dRSTi se dekhA ki cAraNa devakIrti kA svarUpa parivartita ho gayA hai| usake zarIra para ati mUlyavAn AbhUSaNa camakane lge| usake sira para dhAraNa kiye hue mukuTa se tejasvI kiraNeM nikala rahI thiiN| usakA jo rUpa thA, vaha sahasraguNita ho gayA thaa| devakIrti kA yaha rUpa dekhakara vikramAditya aura mahArAnI kamalA apane Asana se uTha khar3e hue| devakIrti ne prasanna svaroM meM kahA - 'rAjan ! maiM mAnavI nahIM, deva hUM... naMdIzvara dvIpa kI yAtrA para nikalA thaa| vahAM se lauTate samaya yahAM ke pavitra tIrthoM kI yAtrA karatA huA pratiSThAnapura pahuMcA aura vahAM rAjakanyA kA vRttAMta jAnA....phira vahAM ghUma-ghUmatA maiM yahAM AyA aura ApameM maiMne sAhasa, vIratva aura saubhAgya ke cihna dekhe-isalie maiMne cAraNa veza banAkara yaha vRttAMta Apako sunaayaa| maiM deva hone ke kAraNa manuSya jAti kA AhAra grahaNa nahIM kara sakatA, isIlie maiMne bhojana karanA svIkAra nahIM kiyA / rAjan ! maiM Apake vinaya-vyavahAra se mugdha banA hUM, prasanna huA hUM- jo cAho so varadAna mAMga lo|' vikramAditya bole- 'ApakI prasannatA hI mere lie sabase bar3A varadAna hai / mujhe aura kucha nahIM cAhie / ' devakIrti ne tatkAla usa khaMDa ke kone kI ora apanA bAyAM hAtha laMbAte hue kahA- 'rAjan ! Apake hAtha se aneka zubha kArya saMpAdita hoMge-una kAryoM meM yaha sahAyabhUta banegA / ' sabhI ne usa ora dekhA to pratIta huA ki khaMDa kA AdhA bhAga svarNa bhara gayA hai| devakIrti ne vikramAditya ko eka camatkArI guTikA dete hue kahA - 'rAjan ! maiM jAnatA hUM ki Apa kisI kA diyA huA kucha bhI nahIM lete| yaha manovRtti bahuta uttama hai| maiM yaha rUpa-parAvartinI guTikA Apako detA huuN| isa guTikA ko muMha meM rakhane se Apa jisa rUpa kI kalpanA kareMge, vaisA rUpa parivartana kara sakeMge / ' - itanA kahakara vaha adRzya ho gayA / rAjA-rAnI - donoM avAk raha gae / itane meM hI mahAmaMtrI bhaTTamAtra vahAM A phuNce| vikramAditya ne unako sArA vRttAnta kaha sunAyA / 60 vIra vikramAditya

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bhaTTamAtra ne kahA - 'mahArAja ! isa kalikAla meM puNyayoga ke binA deva-darzana nahIM hote / ' 'ThIka bAta hai / kintu deva ne jisa kArya kI preraNA dI hai, vaha bahuta vicitra hai aura jokhimabharA bhI hai|' vikramAditya bole / tatkAla kamalAvatI bola par3I - 'svAmin ! gambhIra aura jokhimabharA kArya kSatriyakumAra hI kara sakate haiN| kyA Apako bhaya hai ki rAjakanyA Apake prANa le legI ?' 'nahIM, priye ! aisA koI bhaya mujhe nahIM hai| kintu tumhAre jaisI priya patnI kI maryAdA ko maiM vismRta kaise kara sakatA hUM!' 'maiM samajhI nahIM / ' samajha lene para bhI kamalAvatI ne tirachI dRSTi se pati kI ora dekhate hue kahA / 'kamalA ! tere meM maiM parama sukha kA anubhava karatA hUM, phira...... bIca meM hI kamalAvatI ne kahA - 'svAmin, sukha - duHkha mana kI kalpanAmAtra hai| mujhe sauta kA koI bhaya nahIM hai, roSa nahIM hai| yadi aisI naradveSiNI strI ko mArga para lAyA jAe, to yaha paropakAra kA kArya hogA aura Apa to mAlava deza ke adhipati haiN| yadi Apa aisA paropakAra nahIM kara sakate, to phira dUsarA kauna kara sakegA ? devakIrti ne Apako hI isa kArya kI preraNA kyoM dI? Apa merI ora se pUrNa nizcinta hokara yaha kArya kreN| isameM ApakI aura merI - donoM kI zobhA hai / ' 'kamalA....' 'svAmin! maiM saca kaha rahI huuN| yaha to kevala eka nArI ke uddhAra kA prazna hai..... Apa yadi saikar3oM striyAM le AeM, to bhI mere mana meM anyathA bhAva nahIM AegA....' vikramAditya ne apanI patnI ke donoM hAtha pakar3a liye aura AMkhoM meM AMkheM DAlakara dekhane lge| phira bhaTTamAtra kI ora dRSTi kara kahA - 'mitra! Apane sArA vRttAnta jAna liyA hai| isa viSaya meM hameM kyA karanA hai, soca-vicAra kara Apa mujhe sUcita kareM / ' 'mahArAja kI jaya ho !' bhaTTamAtra ne prasanna svara se kahA / 13. pratiSThAnapura kI ora tIna dina bIta gae / ina tIna dinoM taka vIra vikramAditya ke mana meM rAjakanyA sukumArI kA citra nAcatA rahA / vIra vikramAditya 61

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bahuta bAra aisA hotA hai ki manuSya kI anicchA hI icchA kA rUpa dhAraNa kara letI hai| jaba taka vikrama ne sukumArI kA citra nahIM dekhA thA, taba taka mana meM eka kutUhala mAtra jAgA thA....kintu devakIrti se jaba citra prApta ho gayA, patnI kI sahamati mila gaI aura citra ko bAra-bAra dekhane kA avasara milA, taba sukumArI ko prApta karane kI bhAvanA balavatI hotI gii| pati kA manomanthana patnI se anajAnA nahIM raha sktaa| kamalA nipuNa thii| usane svAmI ke cehare ko dekhakara jAna liyA thA ki ve sukumArI ke prati AkRSTa hue haiN| usakA svabhAva ati premArdra aura patiparAyaNa thA, isIlie vaha sukumArI ke uddhAra kI preraNA bAra-bAra detI rhii| ina tIna dinoM ke bIca bhaTTamAtra ne pUrNa vicAra-vimarza kara sukumArI taka pahuMcane kI eka yojanA banA lI aura usa yojanA ke anurUpa chAna-bIna bhI kara lii| cauthe dina vikrama ke dhIraja kA bAMdha TUTa gyaa| unhoMne mahAmaMtrI ko bulAne ke lie eka sevaka bhejaa| mahAmaMtrI bhaTTamAtra rAjabhavana ke baiThakakhaMDa meM Ae, taba mahArAja vikramAditya prAta:karma se nivRtta ho unakI pratIkSA meM baiThe the| bhaTTamAtra ko dekhate hI ve bole'kyA yojanA mana meM hI rahegI yA prakaTa bhI ho sakegI?' ___ 'yojanA taiyAra hai, kintu naradveSiNI sukumArI kA vicAra Ate hI mana meM eka tUphAna uThatA hai ki yaha jokhima kyoM uThAI jAe?' vikramAditya haMsakara bole- 'manuSya kA jIvana aneka jokhimoM se bharA par3A hai| isa rAjabhavana meM maiM pratyeka dRSTi se sukhI hUM....parantu kaba kauna mujhe viSa de de, yaha kisI ko jJAta nhiiN| jokhima ke binA jIvana kA majA bhI kyA hai? Apa apanI yojanA btaaeN|' ___ 'mahArAja ! rAjakanyA nRtya aura saMgIta meM rasa letI hai| avaMtI nagarI kI do vikhyAta nartakiyAM-madanamAlA aura kAmakalA dakSiNa bhArata kI haiN| mahArAja zAlivAhana kI priya nartakI rUpamAlA kI ye donoM bahaneM haiN| rUpamAlA tInoM bahanoM meM sabase bar3I hai aura vaha rAjakanayA ko saMgIta aura nRtya sikhAtI hai| mahArAja zAlivAhana kI usa para pUrNa kRpA hai aura usakA apanA varcasva bhI hai| hama yahAM se madanamAlA aura kAmakalA-donoM nartakiyoM ko sAtha lekara pratiSThAnapura caleM to rAjakanyA se milane kA suyoga mila sakatA hai|' vikramAditya mauna rahe.....vicAramagna ho ge| bhaTTamAtra ne kahA-'Apane bhI saMgIta kI sAdhanA kI hai| zAstra kahate haiM ki nArI aura mRga nAda se vaza meM ho jAte haiN|' 62 vIra vikramAditya

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'ye donoM bahaneM hamAre sAtha cala sakeMgI?' 'donoM Ane ke lie utsuka haiN| mAlavanAtha kI icchA ko pUrA karanA kauna nahIM cAhegA?' bhaTTamAtra ne khaa| 'acchA, to hameM eka-do dina meM hI yahAM se prasthAna kara denA hai|' 'eka-do dina meM pravAsa kaise kiyA jA sakegA? donoM nartakiyoM ko bhI taiyArI to karanI hI pdd'egii| dUsarI bAta hai ki hameM vahAM pahuMcane meM eka mahInA to laga hI jaaegaa|' ___'pahuMcane meM mahInA nahIM lgegaa| merA mitra agnivaitAla sAtha hI clegaa| tumako bhI sAtha hI rahanA hai....dUsare koI bhI dAsa-dAsI sAtha nahIM rheNge| tuma donoM nartakiyoM ko kahalavA denA ki Aja se tIsare dina yahAM se prasthAna karanA hai....donoM puruSa-veza meM caleMgI-dUsare sAre sAdhana vahIM mila jaaeNge|' bhaTTamAtra avAk raha gyaa| vaha vikramAditya kI ora do kSaNa dekhatA huA bolA- 'kRpAnAtha! sazastra rakSakoM ke binA pravAsa karanA hogA?' 'bhaTTamAtra! mere pAsa jo talavAra hai, vaha kevala zobhA ke lie nahIM hai aura avaMtI ke bAhara nikalane ke pazcAt hama saba samAna haiM....tuma apanI mAlA sAtha meM rkhnaa|' kahakara vikramAditya muskraae| bhaTTamAtra ne bhI muskarAte hue kahA- 'ApakA mRgacarma bhI....' 'acchA, to tumhAre sAtha maiM avadhUta banakara calUM?' donoM mitra haMsa pdd'e| dUsare dina mahArAja vikramAditya ne mantrI buddhisAgara ko bulAkara rAjyasaMcAlana kA sArA dAyitva unheM sauMpa diyaa| pAMca sabhyoM kI eka vyavasthA samiti banA dI aura usake pramukha rUpa meM nagaraseTha ko rkhaa| parantu tIsare dina bhI ve prasthAna nahIM kara sake....rAjapurohita ne mRgasira zuklA aSTamI kA muhUrta diyA thA... vikramAditya ne agnivaitAla ko yAda kiyA aura vaha tatkAla vahAM upasthita ho gyaa| sUryodaya ke tIna ghaTikA pazcAt vikramAditya, agnivaitAla, bhaTTamAtra, madanamAlA aura kAmakalA-pAMcoM ne uttama azvoM para baiThakara vahAM se prasthAna kara diyaa| prasthAna karane se pUrva vikramAditya ne mahArAnI kamalAvatI se kahA-'priye! tumhArI preraNA nahIM hotI to maiM isa paropakAra ke lie sAhasa nahIM krtaa|' rAnI ne kahA- 'svAmin ! yaha prazna ApakA nahIM hai|' vIra vikramAditya 63

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'to phira ?' 'yaha merA prazna hai / Apa to mere lie itanI jokhima uThA rahe haiM aura mujhe aTUTa vizvAsa hai ki Apa apane isa kArya se yazasvI hoMge' - kamalA ne prasannatA se kahA / isa prakAra priyA kI preraNA lekara hI vikramAditya vahAM se cale / tIna dina taka pAMca pravAsa karate rahe, parantu mAlava deza kI sImA ko bhI pAra nahIM kara paae| agnivaitAla bolA- 'mahArAja ! isa prakAra calane se to hameM eka mahInA laga jAegA / ' 'hamAre senApati to tuma hI ho| tumheM jo ucita lage vaisA kro|' vikrama ne haMsate hue kahA / 'to maiM Apa sabako Aja hI pratiSThAnapura se pAMca kosa kI dUrI para sthita eka gAMva meM pahuMcA dUM! agnivaitAla ne kahA / 'jaisI tumhArI icchA..... parantu donoM nartakiyAM camakeMgI to nahIM ?' 'nahIM, mahArAja ! nahIM ! maiM saba kucha ThIka kara duuNgaa|' aura aisA hI ghaTita huA / rAtri meM jahAM par3Ava thA, vahAM jaba sabhI nidrAdhIna ho gae taba agnivaitAla ne apane prabhAva se sabako usI sthiti meM pratiSThAnapura ke pAsa meM sthita eka upavana meM azvoM sahita pahuMcA diyA | agnivaitAla ne donoM nartakiyoM aura mahAmantrI para nidrA kI gAr3hatA kA prayoga kiyA thA aura mahArAja vikramAditya ko mUla sthiti meM hI rahane diyA thaa| upavana meM pahuMcane ke pazcAt azva isa camatkArika pravAsa se cauMke aura hinahinAne lage.....kyoMki kucha hI samaya pUrva ve eka choTI-sI ghur3azAlA meM the aura aba eka sundara upavana meM A gae the| ghor3oM kI hinahinAhaTa se vikramAditya jAga ge| AMkheM kholakara dekhA to kamare ke sthAna para eka sundara vana- pradeza thaa| ve zayyA se uThe / agnivaitAla pAsa meM Akara bolA - 'ApakI AjJA ke anusAra hama pratiSThAnapura ke parisara meM A gae haiM / ' vikramAditya ne agnivaitAla ke donoM hAtha pakar3ate hue kahA - 'mitra ! tumhArI zakti bejor3a hai....vAstava meM mere puNya prabhAva se hI tumhAre jaisA mahAn mitra prApta huA hai... kintu jaba ye donoM nartakiyAM jAgRta hoMgI, taba inake Azcarya se koI viparIta asara to nahIM hogA ?' 64 vIra vikramAditya

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'Apa nizcinta raheM, maiM samajhA dUMgA...abhI Apa vizrAma kareM....prAta:kAla hone meM abhI kAphI samaya hai....taba taka maiM isa vanapradeza meM ghUma aauuN|' agnivaitAla ne khaa| 'kyoM? kyA kAma hai?' 'Apa to jAnate hI haiM ki maiM rAtri meM hI bhojana karatA huuN|' 'oha mitra ! mujhe kSamA kreN| tumhAre bhojana kI vyavasthA....' bIca meM hI agnivaitAla bola uThA- 'Apa merI cintA na kreN| yaha vanapradeza bahuta sundara aura ramaNIya hai....merA bhojana mujhe prApta ho jaaegaa|' yaha kahakara agnivaitAla tatkAla adRzya ho gyaa| vikramAditya apanI zayyA para vizrAma karake leTa ge| pAsa meM bhaTTamAtra nizcinta hokara so rahA thA....kucha hI dUrI para donoM puruSa-vezadhAriNI nartakiyAM gAr3hI nidrA meM so rahI thiiN| prAta:kAla huaa| pakSIgaNa kalarava karane lge| vikramAditya zayyA se uThe....agnivaitAla apanI zayyA para baiThA thaa| usane kahA- 'rAjan, Apa AjJA deM to aba maiM prasthAna karUM?' 'kyA yahAM koI jalAzaya hai?' 'hAM, mahArAja! pAsa meM hI eka saritA baha rahI hai|' agnivaitAla ne khaa| 'to hama prAta:karma se nivRtta ho jAeM....kintu bhaTTamAtra aura donoM bahaneM?' 'maiMne una para nidrA kA prayoga kiyA hai...abhI unako jAgRta kara detA huuN|' kahakara agnivaitAla ne usa ora hAtha ghumaayaa| nidrA ko apanI ora khIMcate hI tInoM jAga ge| apane sAmane aparicita vanapradeza dekhakara tInoM AMkhoM ko malane lge| unheM lagA ki kisI ne apaharaNa kara liyA hai| ve idhara-udhara dekhane lge| agnivaitAla ne kahA- 'cauMkane kI AvazyakatA nahIM hai| eka yogI kI upalabdhi se hama saba pratiSThAnapura ke parisara meM A pahuMce haiN|' __'kyA kahA Apane? pratiSThAnapura ke parisara meM? kevala eka hI rAta meM?' madanamAlA ne Azcarya ke sAtha prazna kiyaa| vikramAditya bole- 'hAM, bahana ! yogajazakti kalpanAtIta hotI hai.... nimiSamAtra meM ve kahIM se kahIM pahuMcA dete haiN|' bhaTTamAtra samajha gayA thA ki yaha sArI zakti agnivaitAla kI hai| vaha haMsA aura agnivaitAla kI ora dekhatA rhaa| vIra vikramAditya 65

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phira pAMcoM vyaktiyoM ne prAta: karma se nivRtta hokara apane-apane azvoM para baiThakara vahAM se pratiSThAnapura kI ora prasthAna kara diyA / tejasvI azvoM ke lie pAMca-chaha kosa kI maMjila bahuta bar3I nahIM hotI / nagarI kI gaganacumbI aTTAlikAeM dUra se dIkhane lgiiN| vikramAditya ne bhaTTamAtra kI ora dekhakara kahA- - 'nagarI A gaI.... hama kahAM ThahareMge ?' 'hamako rUpamAlA ke bhavana meM hI ThaharanA cAhie... parantu hama sabase pahale rAjakanyA ke puruSavihIna bhavana kA nirIkSaNa to kara leM / ' madanamAlA bolI- 'kRpAnAtha ! sabase pahale hama bahana rUpamAlA ke ghara para hI cleN| vahAM jAne para Age kI vicAraNA kareMgeM' agnivaitAla sabase Age thaa| usane apanA azva khar3A kara liyaa| sabhI nikaTa Ae, taba vaha bolA- 'mahArAja ! nagarI A gaI hai....vezaparivartana karanA ho to..... I' 'mitra! merA vicAra he ki devI rUpamAlA ke bhavana meM pahuMcane se pUrva hameM rAjakumArI ke mahala kA nirIkSaNa kara hI lenA cAhie / ' vaitAla bolA- 'mahArAja ! sAmane dekheM, hameM usa ora jAnA hogaa| dakSiNa dizA ke anta meM jo mahala dikhAI detA hai, usI mahala meM rAjakanyA rahatI hai| ' 'calo, hama usI ora caleM, phira nagara meM praveza kareMge....' vikramAditya ne kahA / aura pAMcoM azva mahArAja zAlivAhana kI rAjakanyA sukumArI ke ekAnta bhavana kI ora bar3he / kucha hI samaya meM pAMcoM azva mahala ke pichale bhAga meM A phuNce| rAjamahala ke cAroM ora eka sundara upavana thA aura usa upavana ko ghere eka sundara parakoTA thA / sthAna-sthAna para rakSaka tainAta the| pAMcoM pravAsI idhara-udhara dekhate hue mukhya dvAra kI ora apane azvoM ko bar3hAte hue Age bddh'e| agnivaitAla bolA- 'mahArAja ! bhItara jAnA ho to hama jA sakate haiN|' 'kaise ?' 'azvoM dvArA prAcIra ko lAMghakara / ' 'acchA, samajha gayA...nahIM-nahIM, hameM pahale saba kucha jAna lenA hai, samajha - lenA hai.....' bhaTTamAtra bolA- 'mahArAja ! dekheM ! mukhya dvAra sAmane dIkha rahA hai.... strIrakSikAeM bhAlA aura talavAra liye paharA de rahI haiN|' 66 vIra vikramAditya

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pAMcoM azva jaba mukhya dvAra se kucha hI phAsale para the taba dekhA ki eka jharokhe meM do billiyAM vicitra AvAja kara rahI haiN| bhaTTamAtra bolA- 'billiyAM ?' kAmakalA bolI- 'mahAmaMtrI ! ye billiyAM vicitra hotI haiM...... isa prakAra kI harakatoM se ve rakSikAoM ko sAvadhAna kara rahI haiM aura puruSoM ke Agamana kI sUcanA rAjakanyA taka pahuMcA rahI haiN| yaha samAcAra pAkara rAjakanyA se mauta kA paigAma A jAtA hai / ' mahAmaMtrI ne vikramAditya kI ora dRSTi kara kahA - 'mahArAja ! binA socesamajhe hameM sAhasa nahIM karanA caahie| pahale hama vastra- parivartana kara kucha Azvasta ho jAeM, phira rUpamAlA se sArA vivaraNa jJAta kara, koI yojanAbaddha kArya kareM / ' donoM nartakiyoM ne kahA- 'hAM, kRpAnAtha ! yaha adhika ucita hogA / ' tatkAla sabhI azvArohI dUsarI dizA kI ora cala pdd'e| 14. rUpamAlA ke bhavana meM madanamAlA aura kAmakalA ke mana meM yaha Azcarya bar3hatA hI gayA ki bIsa dina kA pravAsa eka rAta meM kaise pUrA ho gyaa| agnivaitAla ne yogIrAja ke bahAne eka bAta kahI thI, phira bhI donoM bahanoM kA mana zAMta nahIM ho sakA thA aura unhoMne strIsvabhAva kI upekSA karake bhI kucha bhI nahIM khaa| rAjakumArI sukumArI ke ekAnta prAsAda se kucha hI dUrI para eka upavana thaa| vahAM pAMcoM pravAsI apane-apane azvoM sahita A phuNce| I Asa-pAsa meM vRkSAvali bahuta sundara laga rahI thI / vAtAvaraNa atyanta manorama thaa| ATha-dasa vRkSoM ke nikuMja meM bhaTTamAtra ne apanI cAdara bichAI / vikramAditya ne kahA- 'mitra ! hameM yahAM samaya kyoM gaMvAnA cAhie ? madana aura kAma- donoM vastra - parivartana kara leM, taba hama nagarI meM caleM / ' kAmakalA ne kahA-'kRpAnAtha ! Apa kSamA kareM to maiM eka sUcanA denA cAhatI huuN|' vikramAditya ne kAmakalA kI ora prasanna dRSTi se dekhate hue kahA - 'ni:saMkocapUrvaka tuma sUcanA kro| bhAI ke pAsa bahana ko kisI bhI prakAra kA saMkoca nahIM karanA cAhie / ' 'mahArAja! rUpamAlA mahArAja zAlivAhana kI pramukha nartakI hai aura vaha pratidina rAjakumArI ke pAsa jAtI hai| isalie Apa tInoM puruSa yadi strIveza dhAraNa kareM to bahuta acchA rahegA / ' vIra vikramAditya 67

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- 'kAmakalA kI bAta ucita hai, kintu tInoM ko strI veza dhAraNa karane kI AvazyakatA nahIM hai| mere pAsa rUpa-parivartana karane kI divya guTikA hai| usake prayoga se maiM strI-rUpa meM A jAUMgA..... merI AvAja meM komalatA A jAegI.... merA mahAn mitra.....' kahakara vikramAditya ne agnivaitAla kI ora dekhA / agnivaitAla ne haMsakara kahA - 'mahArAja ! maiM bhI nArIveza dhAraNa kruuNgaa|' 'phira nRtya karanA par3e to ?' mahAmaMtrIne prazna kiyA / 'maiM vINA yA mRdaMga bajA skuuNgaa|' vikrama ne haMsate hue kahA- 'nahIM, strI veza kI jarUrata nahIM hai| tuma mere mRdaMgavAdaka bana jAnA aura bhaTTamAtra hamArI maMDalI ke vyavasthApaka hoNge|' sabhI ko yaha yojanA pasanda AyI / agnivaitAla ne smRtimAtra se mRdaMgavAdaka kA sundara rUpa banA ddaalaa| donoM nartakiyoM ne puruSa-veza utArakara strI - veza dhAraNa kara liyaa| bhaTTamAtra ko kucha bhI karane kI AvazyakatA nahIM rhii| vikramAditya ne devakIrti dvArA prApta divya guTikA kA prayoga kiyA aura navayauvanA rUpasundarI kA rUpa dhAraNa kara liyA aura kahA - 'aba Apa saba mujhe devI vikramA ke nAma se saMbodhita kreNge|' vikramAditya ke yauvana aura rUpa se ubharatA huA nArI rUpa dekhakara donoM nartakiyAM Azcarya se avAk raha gaIM / - agnivaitAla ne kahA - 'mahArAja ! Apane to bahuta khatarA uThAyA hai....' 'kaise ?' 'Apako dekhakara aneka puruSa mugdha ho jAeMge - ApakI AvAja bhI mRdu aura madhura bana gaI hai|' 'isameM khatarA kyA hai ? ' bhaTTamAtra ne haMsate-haMsate kahA- 'koI ApakA apaharaNa kara le to ?' sabhI haMsa par3e, phira apane-apane azva para baiThakara nagarI kI ora cala pdd'e| rUpamAlA kA bhavana nagarI ke pazcima kI ora thaa| pAMcoM azvArohI rUpamAlA ke bhavana para A pahuMce, taba dina kA dUsarA prahara cala rahA thaa| azva para baiThI huI tInoM sundariyoM ko dekara pathika avAk raha jAte the| kAmakalA aura madanamAlA apanI bahana rUpamAlA ke ghara sAta varSa pUrva AyI thiiN| donoM bahaneM isa nagara se sarvathA paricita thIM, isalie sabhI binA pUchatAcha kie sIdhe rUpamAlA ke ghara pahuMca gae the| 68 vIra vikramAditya

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bhavana ke vRddha dvArapAla ne madanamAlA aura kAmakalA ko pahacAna liyAusane bahuta prema se svAgata kiyaa| usane eka dAsI ko bhejakara rUpamAlA ko sUcanA dI ki avaMtI nagarI se madanamAlA aura kAmakalA-donoM AyI haiN| sAta varSa pazcAt bahaneM AyI haiM, yaha sunakara rUpamAlA harSita ho utthii| vaha bahanoM kA svAgata karane tatkAla bAhara aayii| atyanta prasannatA se vaha donoM bahanoM ke gale milii| sAtha meM navayauvanA ko dekhakara vaha stambhita raha gii| usane kAmakalA kI ora praznabharI dRSTi se dekhaa| kAmakalA ne dRSTi meM pratibimbita prazna ko samajhate hue kahA- 'bahana! kyA tumane avaMtI kI prakhyAta gAyikA devI vikramA kA nAma sunA hai? yahI devI vikramA haiM....yaha hamArI priya sakhI haiN| hamAre Agraha ke kAraNa yaha svayaM yahAM AyI haiN|' _ 'maiM dhanya hUM'-kahatI huI rUpamAlA ne vikramA ko chAtI se lagA liyaa| phira rUpamAlA ne atithiyoM ke lie bhavana ke UparI khaMDa meM do kakSoM meM vyavasthA karavA dii| ___ bhojana kA samaya ho cukA thA, isalie sabhI ne sAtha meM baiThakara bhojana kiyaa| phira rUpamAlA ne agnivaitAla, devI vikramA aura bhaTTamAtra ko vizrAma karane kA Agraha kiyaa| sAta varSoM ke pazcAt tInoM bahaneM milI thIM, isalie tInoM eka sAtha baiThI aura aneka prakAra kI bAtoM meM tanmaya ho giiN| isa prakAra bAtoM-bAtoM meM sAMjha ho gii| vikramA bhI tInoM bahanoM ke pAsa aayii| sUryAsta kI jaba AvAja lagI taba rUpamAlA cauMka par3I aura khar3I hokara bolI-'are, Aja to maiM bhUla hI gii|' 'kyA, bahana?' madanamAlA ne prazna kiyaa| 'rAjakumArI sukumArI ke yahAM jAne kA samaya bIta gyaa|' 'isameM itanI vyAkula banane kI kyA bAta hai? kala calI jaanaa|' rUpamAlA ne muskarAte hue kahA-'kAma! pratIta hotA hai ki hamArI rAjakumArI kA vRttAnta tumane sunA nahIM hai?' 'kyA koI pAgalapana hai?' 'nahIM-nahIM....vaha atyanta sundara hai, buddhimatI hai| nRtya-saMgIta meM bahuta rasa letI hai....usake vicAra bhI uttama haiM...usakA svabhAva mRdu hai....kintu usameM eka pAgalapana aisA A gayA hai, jisakA nivAraNa atyanta duSkara ho rahA hai|' 'pAgalapana ?' vikramA ne prazna kiyaa| vIra vikramAditya 66

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'hAM, devI! samajhadAra vyakti kI asamajhadArI ! hamArI rAjakumArI ke mana puruSa- jAti ke prati atyanta ghRNA hai aura naujavAna ke prati to atyadhika tiraskAra kI bhAvanA hai| jaba kabhI koI navayuvaka puruSa usake bhavana meM praveza karatA hai to vahIM usakA vadha kara diyA jAtA hai| isIlie hamAre mahArAja ne usake lie alaga mahala kI vyavasthA kI hai|' 'taba to rAjakumArI kabhI bhavana ke bAhara nikalatI hI nahIM hogI ?' vikramA ne prazna kiyA / 'bAhara to AtI hai - mAtA-pitA se milane jAtI hai| kabhI-kabhI rAjasabhA jAtI hai / usa samaya vaha zAnta aura svastha rahatI hai, kintu yadi koI yuvaka usake sAtha vivAha karane kI abhilASA vyakta karatA hai to tatkAla usake hRdaya meM roSa utpanna ho jAtA hai aura taba usakA pAgalapana ubhara AtA hai|' rUpamAlA ne kahA / 'rAjakumArI sundara hai, svastha hai, uttama vicAravAlI hai, phira bhI puruSa jAti ke prati itanA dveSa rakhatI hai, yaha eka Azcarya hI hai / ' vikramA ne kahA / devI vikramA! yaha eka Azcarya to hai hI - parantu isakI pRSThabhUmi meM jo kAraNa hai, vaha vicitra hai / sunA jAtA hai ki rAjakumArI ko apane pUrvabhavoM kI smRti huI aura taba se puruSa-jAti ke prati ghRNA jAga gaI / ' madanamAlA kucha kahe usase pUrva hI eka paricArikA khaMDa meM praviSTa huI aura rUpamAlA ke samakSa jAkara bolI- 'devI! rAjakumArIjI kI do dAsiyAM A cukI haiN|' 'ratha taiyAra hai ?' 'hAM, devI ! ' rUpamAlA ne apanI bahanoM kI ora dekhakara kahA 'Aja bhArI vipatti A jAegI - yadi rAjakanyA roSa se bhara gaI to / ' vikramA tatkAla bolI - 'devI! Apa cintA na kareM - rAjakumArI se kaha denA ki avaMtI nagarI se do zreSTha nartakiyAM aura eka gAyikA atithi-rUpa meM A gaI thIM, isalie unake Atithya ke kAraNa vilamba ho gyaa|' aisA kahUMgI to dUsarI vipatti A jaaegii|' vikramA rUpamAlA kI ora dekhane lagI / rUpamAlA bolI-'yadi maiM Apa sabake Agamana kI bAta kahUMgI to rAjakumArI Apa sabako vahAM bulA bhejeMgI aura phira vahAM sabako jAnA hI par3egA / ' 'hama avazya hI vahAM caleMgI aura rAjakumArI kA mana prasanna karane kA prayatna kreNgii|' kAmakalA ne kahA / 70 vIra vikramAditya

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rUpamAlA kucha nizcinta hokara vahAM se clii| rAtri kA prArambha ho hI gayA thaa| rUpamAlA jaba rAjakumArI ke nivAsa meM pahuMcI taba usakA mana nizcinta thaa| usane pratIkSArata rAjakumArI ko namana kara kahA- 'rAjakumArI kI jaya ho!' 'oha ! rUpa! Aja itanA vilamba kaise?' 'kyA karUM? avaMtI kI do prakhyAta nartakiyAM, jo merI choTI bahineM haiM, eka zreSTha gAyikA ke sAtha mere bhavana para AyI haiN| unake Atithya meM kucha vilamba ho gyaa| maiM Apase kSamA cAhatI huuN|' 'tumhArI donoM bahaneM avaMtI meM rahatI haiM ?' 'hAM, kumaariijii|' 'nRtya meM niSNAta haiM?' 'atyanta kushl|' 'aura gAyikA kauna hai?' 'devI vikramA nAma vAlI eka yuvatI gAyikA hai|' 'vAha ! koI bAta nahIM, bhale hI tuma vilamba se yahAM phuNcii| tumheM apanI bahinoM aura vikramA ko yahAM lAnA hogaa|' 'Apa jisa dina cAheMgI, usI dina maiM una tInoM ko yahAM upasthita kara duuNgii|' 'zubha kArya meM vilamba kaisA? kala sAyaMkAla ke samaya tuma tInoM ko yahAM le aanaa|' 'ThIka hai, parantu....' 'parantu kyA?' 'gAyikA ke sAtha mRdaMgavAdaka puruSa hai?' 'usako sAtha meM mata lAnA- yahAM uttama mRdaMga-vAdikA strI to hai hii|' 'acchI bAta hai|' 'taba to kala hI hama nRtya aura saMgIta kA Ananda leMgI-Aja tuma jAo aura apanI bahanoM ke sAtha gapazapa kro|' rUpamAlA ne prasannatA se mastaka nvaayaa| phira vaha rAjakanyA se AjJA lekara apane bhavana kI ora cala par3I aura jaba-vaha bhavana meM pahuMcI taba sabhI dAsa-dAsiyoM ko usake zIghra Agamana para Azcarya huA, kyoMki pratidina vaha rAtri ke dUsare prahara ke samApta hone para hI ghara pahuMcatI thii| vIra vikramAditya 71

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rUpamAlA ko dekhakara vikramA ke rUpa meM vikramAditya ne pUchA- 'kyoM, kaise AnA ho gayA ?' 'oha! Apake samAcAra sunakara rAjakumArI atyanta prasanna huI aura sabako mahala meM Ane ke lie nimaMtraNa diyA hai|' devI vikramA to yahI cAhatI thii| vaha bolI- 'hamArI jijJAsA tRpta hogii| hama prasannatA se vahAM pahuceMgI aura rAjakanyA ko khuza kareMgI - kintu mere donoM saathii.....|' 'yahI to kaThinAI hai ! kisI bhI puruSa ko sAtha meM nahIM le jAyA jA sktaa| rAjakanyA ke yahAM uttama vAdyamaMDalI hai|' 'kyA usameM koI puruSa nahIM hai ? ' 'nahIM, usameM sabhI striyAM hI haiM / ' 'mRdaMga bajAne ke lie ...... 'strI hI hai - vaha mRdaMga vAdana meM itanI nipuNa hai ki vaha bar3e-bar3e mRdaMgavAdakoM ko bhI parAjita kara detI hai|' 'taba to bar3A Ananda aaegaa|' vikramA ne kahA / phira aneka prakAra kI bAteM kara rUpamAlA ne tInoM ko zayanakakSa meM bheja diyA / agnivaitAla adRzya rahakara sArI bAteM suna rahA thA aura bhaTTamAtra kabhI kA nidrAdhIna ho cukA thaa| zayana kI vyavasthA do khaMDoM meM kI gaI thii| eka khaMDa meM donoM bahanoM ke lie do palaMga bichAe gae the aura eka khaMDa meM kevala vikramA ke lie vyavasthA kI gaI thii| zayanakakSa meM jAte-jAte vikramA ne kAmakalA se kahA- 'abhI to hama vizrAma karate haiM, phira rAjakumArI ke samakSa hameM kauna-sA kAryakrama prastuta karanA hai, usa viSaya meM vicAraNA kareMgI / ' 'ThIka hai|' kahakara donoM bahaneM apane zayanakakSa meM gaIM aura devI vikramA apane khaMDa meM jAkara zayyA para baiTha gaI / bhavana kI paricArikAoM ne jalapAna Adi kI vyavasthA kara rakhI thii| eka paricArikA pagacaMpI karane ke lie AyI / vikramA ne kahA- 'mujhe pagacaMpI karAne kI Adata nahIM hai| pravAsa kI thakAna hai, isalie nIMda A jAegI, tU jA / ' dAsI namana kara calI gii| vikramA ne andara se daravAjA banda kara liyA aura so gaI / 72 vIra vikramAditya

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itane meM hI agnivaitAla vahAM prakaTa huaa| vikramA ne kahA- 'maiM to samajhatI thI ki tuma donoM so gae ho| bhaTTamAtra kahAM hai?' 've to ghora nidrA meM kharrATe le rahe haiN|' 'tuma bhI jAo aura ArAma karo-kala hameM rAjakumArI ke yahAM jAnA hai|' 'maiMne sArI bAteM suna lI thiiN| maiM bhI sAtha hI cluuNgaa|' 'kintu koI puruSa....' haMsate hue agnivaitAla ne kahA- 'mahArAja! maiM adRzya rahakara hI aauuNgaa| rAjakumArI ko dekhane ke pazcAt kyA karanA hai, isakA nirNaya kruuNgaa|' 'acchA / ' 'aba Apa vizrAma kreN| maiM nagarI kA cakkara lagAkara AtA hUM'-kahakara agnivaitAla ho gyaa| 15. paTayoga rUpamAlA, madanamAlA, kAmakalA aura vikramA-cAroM uttama vastrAlaMkAroM se sajjita hokara, chaha dAsiyoM ko sAtha le, sundara azvoM vAle cAra rathoM meM baiThakara jaba rAjakanyA ke AvAsa para pahuMce, taba pazcima kA AkAza kesara se bhIga gayA thaa| aisA lagatA thA, mAno nizArAnI kA svAgata karane ke lie prakRti ne palAza puSpoM kA galIcA bichA diyA ho| rAjakumArI kI mukhya dAsI ne cAroM kalAnetriyoM kA bhAvabhInA svAgata kiyA aura unako eka vizAla kakSa meM bitthaayaa| rUpamAlA kI dAsI vahIM baiTha gii| agnivaitAla adRzya rUpa se A gayA thA-vaha devI vikramA ke ThIka pIche baiTha gyaa| vikramA ne use zAMtabhAva se baiThane rahane kA Adeza pahale hI de rakhA thaa| yadi yaha sUcanA nahIM dI hotI to agnivaitAla kucha-na-kucha kara baitthtaa| rAjakumArI kI do dAsiyAM kalAnetriyoM ko pAnaka se bhare svarNapAtra dene lgiiN| pAnaka kA pAna pUrA ho jAne para mukhavAsa kA thAla AyA aura mukhya paricArikA ne rUpamAlA se kahA- 'devI! rAjakumArI dharmArAdhanA meM lagI haiM-abhI nivRtta ho jaaeNgii|' ___ rUpamAlA bolI- 'mAdhavI bahana! hamAre lie zIghratA karane kI jarUrata nahIM hai- rAjakumArI nizcintatA se AeM- hama yahAM Ananda meM baiThI haiN|' tabhI rAjakumArI kI vAdyamaMDalI usa khaMDa meM praviSTa huii| vIra vikramAditya 73

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rUpamAlA ne apanI donoM bahanoM aura gAyikA vikramA kA paricaya diyaa| vAdyamaMDalI meM eka vINAvAdikA, eka mRdaMgavAdikA, do taMbUravAdikAeM aura do suSiravAdyavAdikAeM thiiN| do anya vAdikAeM thiiN| isa prakAra vAdyamaMDalI meM ATha striyAM thiiN| ve saba lagabhaga tIsa varSa ke vaya vAlI, svastha aura sundara thiiN| mukhya paricArikA ne sabako yathAsthAna bitthaayaa| pratidina ke kAryakrama ke anusAra rAtri ke prathama prahara ke sampanna hone para nRtya-saMgIta prArambha hotA thA-kabhI-kabhI rAjakanyA nRtya bhI karatI aura saMgIta bhI gAtI thii| rUpamAlA ne mukhya paricArikA mAdhavI kI ora dekhakara kahA- 'maMjarI devI nahIM AyIM?' __ 'abhI Ane hI vAlI haiN| unako lene ke lie ratha to kabhI kA jA cukA hai|' mAdhavI ne khaa| kAmakalA ne rUpamAlA se pUchA- 'kauna maMjarI devI?' 'rAjakumArI ke nRtya-saMgIta kA abhyAsa karane vAlI AcAryA haiN| unakA vaya lagabhaga pacAsa varSa kA hai| nRtya aura saMgIta-zAstra meM itanI nipuNa haiM ki bar3e-bar3e AcArya unake samakSa baune par3ate haiN|' rUpamAlA ne khaa| phira to vAdyamaMDalI ke sAtha saMgIta kI carcA hone lgii| vikramAditya jaba avadhUta ke veza meM deza-niSkAsana kA daMDa bhoga rahe the taba unhoMne eka Azrama meM saMgIta kA ucca abhyAsa kiyA thA aura bAlyakAla meM bhI saMgItazAstra par3hA thaa| isa prakAra unheM saMgIta kA paripakva jJAna thaa| unhoMne bhI vAdyamaMDalI ke sAtha vividha rAga-rAginiyoM ke viSaya meM carcA kii| rAtri ke prathama prahara kI samApti kI sUcanA dene ke lie eka jhAlara baja utthii| __vAdyamaMDalI kI sadasyAeM apane-apane vAdya vyavasthita karane lagIM aura itane meM hI svastha aura saMyama ke bala se paripUrNa maMjarI devI ne khaMDa meM praveza kiyaa| sabhI ne maMjarI devI ko praNAma kiyaa| maMjarI devI apane Asana para baiTha giiN| rUpamAlA ne apanI donoM bahanoM tathA vikramA kA paricaya diyaa| ___bAtacIta cala rahI thI, itane meM hI rAjakumArI ne khaMDa meM praveza kiyaa| sabhI striyAM apane-apane Asana se utthiiN| vikramA bhI uTha khar3I ho gaI aura vaha rAjakumArI ke devadurlabha rUpa se jagamagAtI kAyA ko ekaTaka nihArane lgii| 'oha! yaha to citrAMkana se bhI sau gunA adhika sundara aura AkarSaka hai| aisI tribhuvanamohinI nArI ke hRdaya meM puruSa jAti ke prati ghRNA kaise rahatI hogI ?' 74 vIra vikramAditya

Page #82
rUpamAlA ne apanI donoM bahanoM aura devI vikramA kA paricaya rAjakumArI ko diyaa| rAjakanyA ne tInoM kI ora prasannatA se dekhA aura muskarA dii| adRzya agnivaitAla ne vikrama ke kaMdhe para cuTakI todd'ii| vikrama kucha bhI bolane kI sthiti meM nahIM the, kyoMki pAsa meM rUpamAlA baiThI thii| maMjarI devI ne rAjakanyA kI ora dekhakara kahA-'Aja atithiyoM ke samakSa Apako bhI kucha karanA hogaa|' rAjakumArI ne maMjarI kI ora dRSTi kara kahA- 'maiM ApakI AjJA zirodhArya karUMgI-kintu Aja yadi hama atithiyoM kI kalA kA hI rasAsvAdana kareM to.....' 'Apa avazya hI ekAdha gItikA ke dvArA avaMtI kI kalAlakSmiyoM kA mana bhlaanaa|' 'acchA' kahakara rAjakumArI ne vikramA kI ora dekhA / vikramA ke nayana atyanta tejasvI laga rahe the| maMjarI devI ne rUpamAlA kI ora dekhakara kahA- 'devI ! pahale hama nRtya kA Ananda leM-ApakI donoM bahaneM taiyAra haiM na ?' 'hAM, devI!' vAdyamaMDalI ne apane-apane vAdyoM ko taiyAra kiyaa| madanamAlA aura kAmakalA ne khar3e hokara rAjakumArI kA abhivAdana kiyaa| vizAla khaMDa ke madhya bhAga meM atyanta cikanA galIcA bichA huA thaa| donoM bahanoM ne vAdyamaMDalI kI ora dekhA / madanamAlA ne 'kAmoda' kI svara laharI chor3ane ke lie khaa| tatkAla vAdyoM se 'tilaka kAmoda' kI svara lahariyAM vAtAvaraNa meM thirakane lgiiN| avaMtI kI prakhyAta nartakiyoM ne 'virahAnaMda' nAma kA nRtya prArambha kiyaa| isa nRtya meM virahavyathA se pIr3ita eka nArI apanI sakhI ke samakSa hRdaya ke bhAva pradarzita karatI hai aura sakhI use samajhAtI hai ki viraha kI vyathA ke pIche jo 'piu-milana' kI AzA kA Ananda chipA rahatA hai, vaha kitanA madhura hotA hai| viraha usa Ananda kI parAkASThA kA atyanta sUkSma tattva hai / yaha sArA bhAvAbhinaya se samajhAyA jAtA hai aura taba sakhI Ananda-vibhora ho jAtI hai| madanamAlA aura kAmakalA ne isa nRtya ke mAdhyama se avaMtI ke nRtyarasikoM ko mugdha banAyA thaa| vIra vikramAditya 75

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donoM bahaneM sAmAnya nartakiyAM nahIM thIM-unakI bhAva-bhaMgimA, hAsya kA adbhuta AkarSaNa aura aMgoM ke lacIlepana ne avaMtI ke yuvakoM ke hRdaya ko jIta liyA thA-nRtya dekhakara kucha apanI z2avAnI ko yAda karate aura praur3ha masta bana jAte the| donoM bahanoM ne apUrva bhAvabhaMgimA se nRtya ko Age bddh'aayaa| vikramAditya strIveza meM the-phira bhI unakA puruSa bhAva thirakane lgaa| rAjakumArI bhI atyanta prasanna huii| maMjarI devI ko jJAta ho gayA ki rUpamAlA kI donoM bahaneM kevala rUpavatI hI nahIM haiM, nRtyAMganAoM meM bhI zreSTha haiN| nRtya meM eka bhI doSa pratIta nahIM ho rahA thA-bhAva-bhaMgimA bhI tAla kA svarUpa le letI thii| aura madanamAlA jaba viraha-vyathA vyakta karane lagI taba rAjakumArI ke mana meM yaha vicAra umar3a par3A ki kyA nArI ke prANoM meM puruSa ke viyoga kA itanA asara hotA hai ? kyA nArI itanI komala aura madhura hotI hai ? aura jaba kAmakalA ne viraha meM tirohita Ananda ko vyakta karane vAlA abhinaya prArambha kiyA taba vAdyamaMDalI raMga meM A gaI aura maMjarI devI bhI bAra-bAra 'dhanya hai', 'dhanya hai' kahane lgii| rUpamAlA bhI apanI bahanoM kI upalabdhi para maMtramugdha ho gii| dUsarA prahara pUrA huaa| nRtya bhI sampanna ho gyaa| rAjakumArI ne donoM nartakiyoM ko dhanyavAda diyaa| maMjarI devI ne bhI dhanyavAda diyaa| donoM bahaneM rAjakumArI ko namana kara apane-apane Asana para baiTha giiN| maMjarI devI ne vikramA kI ora dRSTi kara kahA- 'devI! aba Apa apanI kalA kA rasapAna kraaeN|' vikramA khar3I huI aura sabako namana kara bhUmi para bichI huI eka gaddI para baiTha gii| ___madanamAlA aura kAmakalA ke sAtha yahAM Ane se pUrva vikramA ne kAryakrama kI carcA kara lI thii| isI carcA ko lakSya meM rakhakara madanamAlA ne maMjarI devI se kahA-'AcAryA! devI vikramA ne 'paTayoga' nAma kI divya aura aparicita rAga kI apUrva sAdhanA kI hai| yaha rAga jaba devI vikramA gAtI haiM taba unake samakSa par3e hue mRdaMga svata: bajane lagate haiM aura tAla dete haiN|' 76 vIra vikramAditya

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rAjakumArI bolI- 'taba to devI vikramA! Apa apanI mahAn sAdhanA kA paricaya kraaeN|' vikramA ne kahA- 'paTayoga kI ArAdhanA karane meM mujhe koI bAdhA nahIM hai, kintu isa gIta ke gAne ke pazcAta maiM dUsarA koI bhI gIta nahIM gA skuuNgii| phira Apako hI apanI kalA kA paricaya denA hogaa|' rAjakumArI ne muskarAte hue kahA- 'svIkAra hai|' tatkAla vikramA ne mRdaMgavAdikA se kahA- 'devI ! mere sAmane pAMca hAtha kI dUrI para mRdaMga ke yugala ko rakha do.....mujhe kevala taMbUrA de do....dUsare vAdyoM kI koI AvazyakatA nahIM hai|' mRdaMgavAdikA ne donoM mRdaMga yathAsthAna rakha die aura ve sahI rUpa meM niyojita haiM yA nahIM, isakI jAMca kara lii| phira eka taMbUrA vikramA ke sAmane rakha diyaa| vikramA ne taMbUrA hAtha meM liyA, tAroM ko suniyojita kiyA-eka tAra kucha UMcA thA, use ThIka kara diyaa| adRzya rUpa meM vaitAla mRdaMga ke pAsa baiTha gyaa| vikramA ne rAjakumArI kI ora dekhaa| rAjakumArI ekaTaka vikramA ko dekha rahI thii| rAjakumArI ke nayanoM meM krIr3A karane vAlI mAdhurI ko dekhakara vikramAditya kA hRdaya mugdha bana gayA thaa| usane muskarAkara rAjakumArI ko prasanna kiyA aura AMkheM banda kara 'paTayoga' kI ArAdhanA prArambha kii| vAdyamaMDalI, rAjakumArI, maMjarI devI, tInoM bahaneM aura sabhI dAsa-dAsiyAM avAka hokara vikramA kI ora dekha rahI thiiN| maMjarI devI aura rAjakumArI ne 'paTayoga' rAga kA svarUpa kabhI nahIM jAnA thaa| mRdaMga svayaM tAla de, yaha na mAne jAne vAlA Azcarya thaa| kintu rAga ke prabhAva se aneka Azcarya ghaTita hote haiM, yaha sabako jJAta thaa| rAga ke svarUpa ko AtmasAt karane vAle aneka gAyakoM ne rAga ke prabhAvotpAdaka camatkAra dikhAe haiN| rAga se agni prakaTa hotI hai, dIpamAlikA jala uThatI hai, jalastaMbhana hotA hai| rAga ke prabhAva se jvara, ziraHzUla, sarpaviSa Adi dUra hote haiN| rAga se anidrA kA roga miTatA hai-ye sArI bAteM ajJAta nahIM haiN| maMjarI devI ne yaha bhI sunA thA ki kevala kaliyoM se gUMthI huI mAlA rAga ke prabhAva se tatkAla khila uThatI hai, kintu ina sabhI camatkAroM se adhika camatkArika thA rAga ke prabhAva se mRdaMgoM kA svayaM baja utthnaa| isIlie sabhI kI dRSTi vikramA aura dUra par3e mRdaMgoM para sthira thii| vIra vikramAditya 77

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vikramA ardhaghaTikA taka svaroM ke Aroha-avaroha meM lagI rhii| usane gAyA- 'rAdhA kI rAta banI raMgabharI' / aura sabhI ne Azcarya se dekhA ki mRdaMgoM se tAla nikala rahI hai| koI yaha kalpanA bhI nahIM kara sakatA thA ki mRdaMgavAdana svata: nahIM ho rahA hai| para vAstavikatA yaha thI ki eka adRzya deva una para tAla de rahA thaa| vikramAditya ne divya guTikA ke prabhAva se strIrUpa dhAraNa kara rakhA thaa| usakA kaMTha bhI komala aura madhura ho gayA thaa| vikramA gA rahI thI- 'raMgabharI....umaMgabharI-rAdhA kI rAta banI raMgabharI....' paTayoga rAga atyanta madhura thA-mRdaMga para uThane vAle tAla bhI ThIka themaMjarI devI kA ceharA khila uThA thaa| aura rAjakumArI to itanI mugdha ho gaI thI ki vaha apalaka nayanoM se vikramA ko dekha rahI thii| usake mana meM yaha vicAra uThA ki aisI sundara aura siddha-gAyikA ko apane pAsa hI rakhanA cAhie-puna: avaMtI nahIM jAne denA hai| nara-nArI ke milana kI eka mastIbharI bahAra vAtAvaraNa meM vyApta ho rahI thii| mRdaMga para tAla uTha rahe the| vikramA ullAsapUrvaka svarakallola kara rahI thI...... do ghaTikA paryanta 'paTayoga' kI ArAdhanA calatI rhii| aura gIta pUrA huA taba mRdaMga se aMtima dhvani nikalI jisase sUcanAkakSa kaMpita ho utthaa| vahAM upasthita sabhI ke hRdaya jhaMkRta ho utthe| rAjakumArI itanI prabhAvita ho gaI thI ki vaha apane Asana se uThI aura vikramA ko uThAkara chAtI se lagA liyaa| rAjakanyA ke sparza se vikramArUpI vikrama kA puruSa hRdaya jhaMkRta ho gyaa| adRzya vaitAla apane sthAna para calA gyaa| sabhI vikramA ko dhanyavAda dene lge| 16. mRganayanI vikramA kI paTayoga kI yojanA vizeSa saphala rhii| sabhI ne saMgIta kI bhUribhUri prazaMsA kii| ___maMjarI devI ne rAjakumArI kI ora dekhakara kahA- 'Apa kauna-sA rAga gAyeMgI?' 78 vIra vikramAditya

Page #86
'mAlakoSa'-kahakara rAjakumArI vAdyamaNDalI ke sadasyoM ke pAsa bichI huI jAjama para baiTha gii| mAlakoSa kI svaralahariyAM vAtAvaraNa meM thirakane lgiiN| vikramA ne dekhA ki rAjakumArI kA kaMTha atyanta madhura aura surIlA hai / mAlakoSa kA AnandadAyI svara pUre khaNDa ko nacAne lgaa| vAdyamaNDalI ke vividha vAdyoM kI dhvani se vaha aura adhika prabhAvaka ho gyaa| aura rAjakanyA ne mAlakoSa rAga meM gIyamAna gIta kI pahalI paMkti kA uccAraNa kiyA- 'premajAla ati vikaTa hai, kaMTakamaya aura krUra' / vikramA ye zabda sunakara cauNkii| usane kahA-gIta meM bhI yahI dhuna hai| kyA milana kI madhura mAdhurI mara gaI hai ? kyA rAjakumArI ko yaha satya jJAta nahIM hai ki prakRti aura puruSa ke saMyoga kI sRSTi hI amara hai? . . rAjakumArI kA gIta raMga barasAne lagA aura aisA pratIta ho rahA thA ki gIta ke bhAva rAjakumArI ke nayana para nAca rahe haiM- prema eka mahAjAla hai-yaha kAMToM se bharA hai aura krUra hai| jo premajAla meM phaMsa jAtA hai, use nirdayatA kA zikAra honA hI par3atA hai| vikramA sthira dRSTi se rAjakumArI ko dekhatI rahI-aisA devadurlabha rUpa! aisI madhura aura komala kAyA ! prema, kalA aura yauvana kI madamastI se chalakatI AMkheM....! __ mAlakoSa kA gIta Age bddh'aa| koI kahatA prema phUla hai, koI kahatA amRta rUpa hai| na, na, na, yaha mohabhrama hai, ghAtaka viSa, aruup| aisA madhura kaNTha aura aisA gIta! mAlakoSa rAga ke aMga-aMga khila uThe the-vINA kI zrutiyAM bhI sukumArI ke svara-kallola ke samakSa phIkI laga rahI thiiN| tAla, laya, mAdhurya-sabhI ucita the| kintu prema ko virUpa mAnane vAlI sukumArI kA hRdaya patthara kaise bana gayA? abhI isane pANigrahaNa kyoM nahIM kiyA? kyA pUrvabhava kI smRti mAtra se isakA hRdaya itanA kaThora ho gayA? vikramAditya ke mana meM ye prazna bAra-bAra ubhara rahe the aura sukumArI ko prApta karane kI tamannA tIvra ho rahI thii| vidhi kI viDambanA ! Aja vikramAditya strIveza meM vikramA bane hue rAjakumArI ke samakSa haiN| tIna ghaTikA paryanta mAlakoSa kA vAtAvaraNa thirakatA rhaa| vIra vikramAditya76

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mAlakoSa pUrA huA taba vikrama rUpI vikramA bola par3I-'dhanya sAdhanA! dhanya kaNTha ? rAjakumArI jI! ApakA yaha gIta aura rAga kI mAdhurI mere hRdaya meM jIvana bhara saMcita rhegii| maiM Aja dhanya bana gii| merA yahAM AnA saphala rhaa|' rAjakumArI ne uttara meM mAtra muskarAte hue sira nmaayaa| vikramA dvArA kI gaI rAjakumArI kI prazaMsA ko sunakara maMjarI devI ko bahuta harSa huaa| jaise mAtA apanI beTI kI prazaMsA sunakara atyanta ullasita hotI hai, vaise hI maMjarI devI bhI apanI ziSyA rAjakumArI kI prazaMsA sunakara dhanya ho gii| vaha bolI- 'devI vikramA! rAjakumArI kA kaNTha madhura hai, sAdhanA bhI kaSTa. sAdhya hai-parantu Apa-jaisI siddhi ise prApta nahIM hai|' 'AcAryAjI ! rAjakumArI ko siddhi upalabdha kyoM nahIM hai, isa prazna kA uttara mujhe mila cukA hai|' maMjarI devI bolI-'mujhe btaao|' 'Aja nahIM, phira kabhI batAUMgI....' vikramA ne isa prakAra eka jijJAsA kI rekhA ubhAra dii| rAjakumArI ne kahA- 'devI! merI eka prArthanA svIkAra karo to....|' 'rAjakumArI jI! prArthanA nahIM, Apako AjJA dene kA adhikAra hai|' 'Apa yahAM kitane dina taka rukeMgI?' 'maiM to lagabhaga eka saptAha aura rukuMgI-kintu madana aura kAmakalA ke sAtha AyI hUM, isalie jaba ve donoM bahaneM jAeMgI, taba hI merA jAnA hogaa|' 'to kala se Apa mere bhavana meM hI rheN|' vikramA kucha nahIM bolIM, vicAramagna ho giiN| 'Apako yahAM koI kaThinAI nahIM hone duuNgii|' rAjakumArI ne khaa| vikramA bolI- 'rAjakumArI jI! maiM abhI rUpamAlA kI atithi huuN| yahAM rukane yA na rukane kA prazna merA nahIM, rUpa kA hai|' rAjakumArI ne rUpamAlA kI ora dekhaa|| rUpamAlA bolI- 'ApakI bhAvanA kA maiM satkAra karatI huuN| kala nahIM, maiM do dina ke pazcAt devI vikramA ko yahAM bheja duuNgii|' rUpamAlA kI bAta svIkAra kara sabhI visarjita ho gye| apane nivAsa para Ane ke pazcAt rUpamAlA ne vikramA kA hAtha pakar3akara kahA- 'devI! ApakI saMgIta-sAdhanA dekhakara maiM maMtramugdha bana gaI huuN|' 'dekho rUpa! tuma avasthA meM mere se bar3I ho, isalie Apake sambodhana se mujhe mata pukaarnaa|' 80 vIra vikramAditya

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'oha!' kahakara rUpamAlA ne vikramA kA hAtha dabAte hue kahA-'kintu kalA kI sAdhanA meM to maiM bahuta choTI hN|' 'maiM koI bahAnA nahIM maanuuNgii|' 'acchA, aba merI eka bAta mAnanI pdd'egii|' 'eka nahIM, aneka / bolo|' vikramA ne mRdu hAsya ke sAtha khaa| 'kala hama cAroM bahaneM milakara nRtya-saMgIta kA Ananda mnaaeNgii|' 'bhavana meM?' 'haaN|' 'kisI viziSTa atithi ko AmatraMNa denA hai ?' bIca meM hI madanamAlA bola par3I-'hAM, saMbhava hai, isake prItama ko....|' rUpa ne lajjA-bhare svaroM meM kahA-'hAM, inake sivAya dUsarA kauna hai?' vikramA ne vinoda se pUchA- 'vaha bhAgyazAlI kauna hai?' "mahArAjA ke choTe bhAI Arya jitvaahn|' 'tumhArA cunAva zreSTha hai-jitavAhana hai to vaphAdAra ?' 'hAM, usake do patniyAM haiM-kintu vaha atyanta sarala hRdaya hai| saptAha meM eka rAta AtA hai|' _ 'bahuta acchA, unako avazya hI nimaMtrita karanA-kintu unako dekhakara yadi maiM mugdha bana gaI to?' vikramA ne khaa| 've itane kacce nahIM haiM-phira bhI tumhArI icchA hogI to maiM unheM upahAra ke rUpa meM de duuNgii|' kahatI huI rUpamAlA haMsa pdd'ii| 'aisI vastu upahAra ke rUpa meM nahIM lI jaatii|' 'to?' 'kSatriya loga upahAra nahIM lete| ve apaharaNa karane meM gaurava samajhate haiN|' vikramA ne vinoda ko Age bddh'aayaa| rUpA bolI- 'devI! tumhAre kauna haiM?' 'merI bAta hI mata karo-patte binA kI bela jaisI merI dazA hai| mere prati mugdha to aneka hote haiM-kintu merA mana kisI ke prati AkRSTa nahIM hotaa|' vikramA ne khaa| rUpamAlA ne kAmakalA kI ora dekhakara kahA-'tuma to jAnatI hI hogI?' ___ "vikramA bahuta cAlAka hai| isake mana ko jAnanA sarala nahIM hai|' kAmakalA ne khaa| isa prakAra carcA karate-karate saba apane-apane zayanakakSa kI ora cala pdd'iiN| vIra vikramAditya

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rahI thIM agnivaitAla Akula-vyAkula ho rahA thaa| usake mana meM aneka bAteM ghula I jaba vikramAditya zayyA para baiThe, taba agnivaitAla prakaTa hokara bolA 'mahArAja !' - 'Ao, priya mitra ! kyA tuma merI eka bAta nahIM mAnoge ?' 'kauna-sI bAta ?' 'maiMne kitanI bAra kahA hai ki tuma mere mitra ho, mujhe 'mahArAja' mata kahA kro|' agnivaitAla haMsa par3A / vaha bolA- 'Age se sAvadhAna rhuuNgaa|' 'Aja kI apanI yojanA bahuta saphala rhii|' vikrama ne khaa| vaitAla bolA- 'dekho mitra ! mujhe isa prakAra ke kAryoM meM Aja bhI rasa nahIM hai| tumako strIveza karanA par3A, isa prakAra jAnA par3atA hai - aura isakA pariNAma kyA AegA ?' 'tuma zAnta raho, vaitAla ! tumane pahalA pariNAma to jAna hI liyA hai ? rAjakumArI ko hameM dekhanA thA, Aja usako dekha liyaa|' 'kaisI lagI?' 'tumheM isakA javAba maiM kyA dUM? nizcita hI vidhAtA ne isakA nirmANa vizeSa sAmagrI se kiyA hai - manohArI, mRganayanI, nIlotpalA / ' bIca meM hI agnivaitAla bola par3A - 'hAM hAM, isase maiM kucha bhI nahIM samajha sakatA- tumhAre nayana-mana meM to vaha basa gaI hai na ?' 'hAM, mitra! usako prApta kie binA mujhe caina nhiiN|' 'to phira isa prakAra veza badalane kI kyA jarUrata hai? tuma kaho to do kSaNoM meM use avaMtI meM pahuMcA duuN|' agnivaitAla ne khaa| 'nahIM, mitra ! strI ko isa prakAra jItanA kevala zikArI yA duSTa kA kAma hotA hai| maiM isako hRdaya se jItanA cAhatA huuN|' vikrama ne kahA / 'kyA tAtparya ?' 'rAjakumArI ke mana meM jo puruSa jAti ke prati dveSa hai, maiM usako naSTa karanA cAhatA huuN| jisa mana meM ghRNA bharI par3I hai, maiM vahAM prema kA sAgara laharAnA cAhatA huuN| kyA tumane nahIM dekhA - kala rAta vaha mere se kisa prakAra cipaTa gaI thI ?' 'strI strI ko chAtI se lagAe, isameM kisI uSmA kA anubhava nahIM hotaa| yadi rAjakumArI ko yaha jJAta hotA ki Apa vikramA nahIM, vikrama ho to ApakI chAtI meM talavAra hI lgtii|' agnivaitAla ne kahA / 82 vIra vikramAditya

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'tumhArI bAta sahI hai-uSmA kA Ananda to mujhe milA hI thaa| usane mujhe prema bharA nimaMtraNa bhI diyA hai|' 'mujhe samajha meM nahIM AtA ki Apa strIveza meM rahakara rAjakanyA ko kaise jIta sakeMge?' 'mitra! maiM pahalA kAma yaha karUMgA ki unake mana kA dveSa nikala jaae|' 'taba to yaha rAmAyaNa bahuta lambI calegI?' 'ekAdha mahInA to laga hI jAyegA, tuma ghabarAe to nahIM?' 'Aja jaba Apa gAkara uThe the, taba maiM rAjakanyA ke bhaNDAra meM calA gayA thaa| vahAM acchI miThAiyAM mila gaI thiiN|' kahakara vaitAla haMsa pdd'aa| vikrama mauna rhaa| vaitAla adRzya ho gyaa| rAjakumArI ke viSaya meM vicAra karate hue vikramAditya so gae, kintu nIMda kahAM, kevala mRganayanI hI dikhAI par3a rahI thii| manuSya ke nayanoM meM jaba rUpa kA aMjana AMja diyA jAtA hai, taba usake hRdaya kI dhar3akaneM to bar3ha hI jAtI haiM, sAtha-sAtha nIMda aura ArAma bhI harAma ho jAtA hai| rAjakumArI ke mana se puruSa aura vivAha kI aruci kaise samApta kI jAe, yahI socatA huA vikrama cintAmagna ho gyaa| usane mana-hI-mana yaha taya kara liyA ki rAjakumArI ke samakSa kAmazAstra aura nara-nArI ke milana kI AnandadAyI kalpanA prastuta kI jAe, jisase ki usake citta kA dveSabhAva jAtA rhe| athavA.....? ___uttama puruSoM ke vRttAnta sunAkara usake mana meM puruSa ke prati AkarSaNa paidA kiyA jaae| phira bhI yadi usake mana meM umaMga na uThe to? nhiiN.....| yaha sundarI hai....surUpa hai....mRganayanI hai-isake prANoM meM kalA ke lie sthAna hai-jahAM kalA hotI hai, vahAM prema rahatA hai| prAta:kAla kI jhAlara baja utthii| kintu vikrama rAjakumArI ke vicAroM meM khoyA huA zayyA para so rahA thaa| 17. vikramA kA svAgata madhyAhna kA samaya / rUpamAlAne rAjakumArI ko kahalavAyA ki Aja rAtri meM atithiyoM ke sammAna meM nRtya-saMgIta kA eka prAMjala kAryakrama mere bhavana meM rakhA gayA hai, isalie maiM Aja ApakI sannidhi meM A nahIM skuuNgii| Apa kSamA kreN| vIra vikramAditya 83

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sUryAsta se pUrva rAjakumArI ke yahAM sandeza dekara dAsI lauTa aayii| usane rUpamAlA se kahA- 'devI! rAjakumArIjI ne Aja rAtri meM svayaM yahAM upasthita hone kI icchA vyakta kI hai| rAjakumArIjI do paricArikAoM ko sAtha lekara yahAM AeMgI aura nRtya-saMgIta ke kAryakrama ko dekheNgii|' rAjakumArI jI kA yaha sandeza sunakara rUpamAlA Azcaryacakita raha gii| vaha stabdha ho gaI, mAno ki usa para koI AkAza TUTa par3A ho| eka nartakI ke bhavana meM rAjakumArI kA Agamana / mahArAja yadi yaha bAta jAneMge, to kyA dazA hogI? yA to mujhe deza se nikAlA jAegA yA sArI sampatti kA apaharaNa kara liyA jAegA....aura Aja isa kAryakrama meM rAjakumArI ke cAcA Arya jitavAhana bhI to aaeNge| aba kyA kiyA jAe? dUsare khaNDa meM donoM bahaneM aura vikramA bAta kara rahI thiiN| rUpamAlA vahAM gaI aura madanamAlA ko sAmane dekhakara bolI- 'madana! bahuta bar3I vipatti A gaI hai|' 'kyA huA, bahana?' 'madana! Aja rAjakumArI ne svayaM yahAM Akara nRtya-saMgIta dekhane kI icchA vyakta kI hai| rAjakumAra jitavAhana bhI aaeNge| ve rAjakumArI ko yahAM dekheMge to kyA dazA hogI?' vikramA bolI- 'rAjakumArI kA saMgIta ke prati atyanta lagAva hai, kintu bhAvanA aura vyavahAra ke mArga nirAle haiN| tuma abhI rAjakumArI ke yahAM jAo aura unheM smjhaao| yadi rAjakumArI na samajheM to hama saba vahIM cleNgii|' vikramA kI bAta rUpamAlA ko ucita lgii| vaha tatkAla taiyAra hokara rAjakumArI ke ekAnta bhavana kI ora cala pdd'ii| rUpamAlA ke jAne ke pazcAt vikramA rUpI vikrama apane khaNDa meM aaye| agnivaitAla bhI vahAM A phuNcaa| vaha bolA-'mitra! jo rAjakanyA eka nartakI ke bhavana meM AnA cAhatI hai, usako prApta karane ke lie itanA zrama kyoM karanA cAhie?' _ 'vaitAla! vaha nartakI ke bhavana meM pavitra bhAvanA se A rahI hai| yadi vaha malina mana se AtI to nindya mAnI jaatii| kintu rAjakanyA kA mana atyanta nirmala aura nirdoSa hai|' 'yadi rAjakumArI yahAM Ane kA Agraha karegI to...' 'saMbhava hai, vaha samajha jAegI, anyathA hama saba vahAM caleMgeM' 'rUpamAlA kA priyatama....?' 84 vIra vikramAditya

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'vaha to usakI priyatamA jAne / ' 'to merA mana hotA hai ki maiM eka camatkAra ghaTita karUM / ' 'kaise ?' 'rAjakanyA ko nidrAdhIna banA duuN|' 'ThIka hai| rUpamAlA ko A jAne de - yadi sukumArI yahAM Ae hI to tuma apanA camatkAra ghaTita kara denA / ' vikrama ne kahA / usI samaya bhaTTamAtra bhI bAhara se A gyaa| vikrama ne pUchA- 'mitra ! kahAM gae the?' 'isa mahApuruSa kI bhojana kI vyavasthA karane / ' agnivaitAla kI ora dekhate hu bhaTTamAtra ne kahA / 'ho gaI ?' 'hAM, eka choTI koTharI milI hai| halavAI vividha prakAra kI miThAiyAM usameM rakhakara tAlA lagAkara calA jaaegaa|' 'bahuta acchA, isakA patA kisI ko nahIM laganA caahie| Aja sAMjha vaitAla ko sAtha lekara vaha koTharI dikhA denA / ' agnivaitAla tatkAla bola uThA - 'dekhane kI jarUrata nahIM hai| maiM madhyarAtri kI velA meM vahAM pahuMca jaauuNgaa|' bhaTTamAtra Azcarya bharI dRSTi se vaitAla kI ora dekhatA rhaa| agnivaitAla ne haMsakara kahA- 'maiM manuSya nahIM hUM, yaha yAda rakhoge to koI bhI Azcarya nahIM hogA / ' bhaTTamA ne vaitAla kA hAtha pakar3akara kahA- 'hama nirantara sAtha rahate haiM, isalie bhUla jAte haiM / ' usI samaya madanamAlA aura kAmakalA ne khaNDa meM praveza kiyA / bhaTTamAtra aura agnivaitAla khaNDa se bAhara A ge| madanamAlA ne eka Asana para baiThate hue kahA- 'Aja ke kAryakrama ke viSaya meM kyA socA hai ?' 'devI rUpamAlA kA mRdaMgavAdaka kaisA hai ?' vikramA ne pUchA / 'niSNAta hai / ' 'to aMtima gIta maiM gaauuNgii|' vikramA ne kahA / 'pazcima rAtri meM ?' 'hAM, Apane yaha kAryakrama mere sammAna meM Ayojita kiyA hai, isalie tInoM bahanoM kA kArya pUrA hone ke pazcAt tuma mujhe rAgamaMjarI rAga gAne ke lie kahanA / bhairava parivAra kI yaha eka divya rAginI hai - usake prabhAva se eka pAtra meM bharA huA jala uchalane lagegA / ' vIra vikramAditya 85

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kAmakalA bolI- 'devI! hama koI bhI rAgamaMjarI se paricita nahIM haiN|' 'yaha rAga mAtra yogiyoM meM hI pracalita hai| yaha atyanta tejasvI, caMcala aura Aveza utpanna karane vAlA rAga hai| yogI jaba iSTa kI ArAdhanA ke dvArA iSTa ko jAgRta karanA cAhate haiM, taba yaha rAginI unake prayatna meM sahAyaka banatI hai|' donoM bahaneM atyanta sundara aura tejasvinI vikramA ko dekhane lgiiN| usake bAda anyAnya carcA meM do ghaTikA bIta gii| rUpamAlA rAjakumArI se milakara A pahuMcI aura sIdhe devI vikramA ke khaNDa meM giiN| vikramA usake cehare ko dekhakara bolI- 'rAjakumArI samajha gaI pratIta hotA hai|' 'hAM, kintu eka zarta ke saath|' 'kauna-sI zarta?' madanamAlA ne puuchaa| 'kala saMdhyA se pahale-pahale vikramA ko vahAM bhejanA hogaa|' 'koI Apatti nhiiN| maiM taiyAra hUM, rUpa!' vikramA ne khaa| 'rAjakumArI ApakI kalA para mugdha hai| ve mAtra Apako sunane ke lie yahAM Ane vAlI thiiN| maiMne kahA ki Apake cAcA bhI vahAM AyeMge, yaha sunakara ve bahuta prasanna huI aura bolIM-taba to mujhe aura adhika Ananda AyegA....kintu jaba maiMne unheM vyavahAra-maryAdA kI bAta batAI taba unhoMne isa eka zarta para merI bAta mAna lii|' rUpamAlA ne spaSTa karate hue khaa| saMdhyA kA samaya ho gayA thaa| Aja ke hone vAle samAraMbha kI pUrva taiyArI karanI thI-abhI sabako byAlU bhI karanA thaa| rUpamAlA apanI donoM bahanoM ke sAtha taiyArI karane calI gii| vikramarUpI vikramA snAnagRha meM jAne ke lie uThI-itane meM hI agnivaitAla A phuNcaa| vaha bolA- 'mujhe camatkAra batAne ke lie jAnA to nahIM par3egA?' ___ 'nahIM, kintu madhyarAtri ke pazcAt mere gIta gAne ke samaya camatkAra batAnA hogaa|' vikrama ne khaa| agnivaitAla praznabharI dRSTi se vikrama ko dekhatA rhaa| vikrama ne kahA- 'Aja maiM rAgamaMjarI nAma kI rAginI gAUMgI-do ghaTikA ke pazcAt tumako yaha karanA hogA ki mere sAmane par3e jala ke pAtra kA pAnI uchale aura usI meM samA jAe-kyA aisA ho sakegA?' ___ 'isameM aisI kauna-sI bAta hai ? yadi isase bhI mahattvapUrNa camatkAra dikhAnA cAheM, to eka bar3e caur3e bartana meM jalakuMbha rakha denaa| vaha jala se chalAchala bharA rhegaa| maiM usa kuMbha se phavvAre kI bhAMti jala Upara uThAUMgA aura vaha sArA jala usa caur3e pAtra meM bharatA jAegA, kintu kuMbha pUrvavat bharA huA hI rhegaa|' 86 vIra vikramAditya

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'vAha mitra, vAha! taba to bahuta prabhAva pdd'egaa|' agnivaitAla ne haMsate hue kahA- 'rAjakumArI hotI to isa prabhAva kA kucha pariNAma to aataa....|' 'kala se to mujhe rAjakumArI ke sAtha hI rahanA hai|' 'mujhe?' 'tuma bhI mere sAtha adRzya rUpa meM rhnaa|' 'yadi maiM ApakI dAsI banakara rahUM to....?' 'nahIM, mitra! mujhe tumheM strI veza meM nahIM lAnA hai| isa prakAra maiM tumhArA gaurava khaNDita karanA nahIM caahtaa|' 'mitra ho jAne ke pazcAt mAna-apamAna yA gaurava-agaurava kA prazna hI nahIM utthtaa|' vaitAla ne khaa| 'tuma adRzya hI rahanA / yahI ucita hai| kyoMki yadi tumheM kahIM jAnA par3e aura dAsI rUpa meM tumheM mere sAtha na dekhe to kisI ko zaMkA ho sakatI hai|' 'ThIka hai- mujhe bhaTTamAtra kA bhI sahayoga karanA hogaa|' 'hAM, donoM ora sahayoga to denA hI hogaa|' vikrama ne khaa| 'koI bAta nhiiN| jaisI devIjI kI aajnyaa| kintu mitra ! rAjakumArI ko samajhAne meM adhika dina mata lagAnA, kyoMki tumhArA raajpaatt....|' 'dekho vaitAla! abhI taka to hameM yahAM Aye Aja tIsarA dina hai| kevala eka hI saptAha meM hameM jJAta ho jAegA ki tela aura tela kI dhArA kaiso hai?' 'ThIka hai|' vaitAla ne khaa| phira vikramA snAnagRha kI ora gii| rAta ke dUsare prahara kI do ghaTikA ke pazcAt mahArAjakumAra jitavAhana A ge| unake sAtha mahAbalAdhikRta narendradeva tathA anya cAra-pAMca vyakti bhI Ae the| __rUpamAlA ne sabakA bhAvabhInA satkAra kiyA aura apane priyatama kI ora dekhatI huI vaha sabako vyavasthita biThAne lgii| vikramA ne vastra-parivartana kiyaa| vaha komalAMgI aura sundara to thI hI, vastrAbharaNoM se usakA rUpa sahasraguNita ho gayA thA aura vaha taba madabharI mRganayanI jaisI laga rahI thii| unake nayanoM meM zyAmAMjana kI rekhA khacita kara rakhI thii| lalATa para sUrya kA tilaka kiyA-oha ! kaisA rUpa! usakA hRdaya aura mana puruSa kA thA-kevala abhinaya aura veza navayauvanA nArI kA thaa| usane darpaNa meM dekhaa| usake mana meM AyA....oha ! maiMne rUpa meM mugdha vIra vikramAditya 87

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hokara apane pauruSa kA atyanta apamAna kiyA hai| vaitAla bAra-bAra jo kahatA thA, usakA kAraNa yahI thA, kintu aba dUsarA koI mArga bhI nahIM rahA hai| jo kAma hAtha meM liyA hai, use to pUrA karanA hI hogaa| vaha isa prakAra vicAroM meM unmajana-nimajjana kara rahI thI ki itane meM hI daravAje para dastaka sunAI dii| rUpamAlA kI dAsI andara Akara bolI- 'devI! sabhI ApakI pratIkSA kara rahe haiN|' 'maiM taiyAra huuN|' kahakara vikramA dAsI ke pIche-pIche madhya khaNDa meM AyI, vahAM Aja kA samArambha samAyojita thaa| khaNDa ke cAroM ora dIpamAlikAeM jagamagA rahI thiiN| rUpamAlA kI vAdya-maNDalI yathAsthAna baiTha gii| rUpa, madana aura kAma bhI yathAsthAna baiTha giiN| bhaTTamAtra, vaitAla aura dUsare manuSya eka aura baiTha ge| mahArAjakumAra aura unake sabhI sAthI nirdhArita sthAna para bichI huI gAdI para baiTha ge| vikramA ne sabako namana kiyaa| rUpamAlA puSpahAra lekara uThI aura vikramA ke pAsa Akara bolI-'devI vikramA kA bhAvabhare hRdaya se svAgata karatI huuN|' rUpamAlA ne vikramA ko hAra phnaayaa| vikramA ne hAtha jor3akara rUpa ke svAgata ko svIkAra kiyaa| jitavAhana aura unake sAthI avaMtI kI madabharI gAyikA ko ekaTaka dekhane lge| kintu ar3atAlIsa varSa ke balAdhikRta narendradeva kI dRSTi vikramA para sthira ho gaI thii| vikramA ko dekhate hI unakA hRdaya kallolita ho uThA thaa| rUpamAlA ne apane priyatama kI ora dekhakara kahA- 'sabhAraMbha ko prAraMbha karane kI AjJA mAMgatI huuN|' jitavAhana ne mAtra madhura hAsya se AjJA de dii| vAdyamaMDalI ke sadasyoM ne kalyANa kI svaramAlA kA anusaMdhAna kiyaa| aura mahAbalAdhikRta narendradeva vikramA ke rUpa ko dekhakara paravaza ho gyaa| usake mana meM eka taraMga uThI-kisI bhI upAya se maiM isa navayauvanA kA AliMgana lUM, tabhI merA janma sArthaka hai| yamana rAga meM hI vAdyamaMDalI ne devI sarasvatI kI prArthanA prArambha kara dii| 58 vIra vikramAditya

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18. rAgamaMjarI rUpamAlA kI vAdyamaMDalI ne jo yamana rAga meM prArthanA kI, vaha sabake mana ko jIta gaI / mahArAjakumAra jitavAhana ne rUpamAlA ke sAmane dekhakara kahA-'rUpa ! Aja tumhAre kalAkAroM ne apanI kalA meM prANa phUMkA hai|' vikramA bhI vAdyamaMDalI kI nipuNatA para bahuta prasanna huI / usane rUpamAlA se kahA- 'bahana ! aisA uttama sAtha bhAgya se hI prApta hotA hai|' phira rUpamAlA ne kucha samaya taka 'UrminRtya' prastuta kiyA / UrminRtya choTA hotA hai, para vaha anta:karaNa meM UrmiyAM prakaTa karane meM sakSama hotA hai| vikramAne rUpamAlA ke isa nRtya ko bahuta sarAhA / phira madana aura kAmamAlA kA nRtya prAraMbha huA / vikramArUpI vikrama ne vaitAla ko bhojana karane kA gupta saMketa diyaa| vaitAla tatkAla uThakara khaNDa ke bAhara calA gyaa| donoM bahanoM ne kalA, bhAva, abhinaya, mudrA Adi se atyanta samRddha banA huA 'kAma-prakopa nRtya prArambha kiyA / nara aura nArI koI nirAlI vastu nahIM hai - eka hI pakSI kI do pAMkheM haiN| donoM kA sahakArI sRSTi kA sukha, Ayu aura teja hai / kAma kA prakopa pratyeka prANI para rahatA hI hai| saMsAra meM aisA eka bhI prANI nahIM hai, jo kAma se mukta ho / puruSa aura prakRti ke sAhacarya kI madhura preraNA kA nAma hI kAmadeva hai-yahI ratinAtha hai, yahI anaMga hai| aura navayauvanA ke mana meM taba 'piu-milana' kI AkAMkSA jAgatI hai aura jaba priyatama AMkhoM kI palakoM ke pIche chipA raha jAtA hai, taba kAmAtura nArI ke hRdaya kI pIr3A akathya hotI hai - isa bhAva ko donoM bahanoM ne apane nRtya ke mAdhyama se abhivyakti dI / rUpamAlA kI donoM bahaneM kalA meM zreSTha thIM- unakA rUpa bhI anupama thA, para vikramA jaisA saundarya unheM prApta nahIM thA / donoM bahanoM ke nRtya ke bhAvAbhinaya meM AkaNTha DUbA huA mahArAjakumAra jitavAhana kA mitra mahAbalAdhikRta nRtyAMganAoM se bhI adhika vikramA ke rUpa kA pujArI bana gayA thaa| vaha usake rUpa kA pAna karanA cAhatA thaa| usakA mana vyAkula thA vikramA ko bAhupAza meM bharane ke lie| vIra vikramAditya 86

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bAraMbAra vaha vikramA ko dekhatA aura eka avyakta AzA ko saMjotA rahatA / avaMtI kI isa zreSTha gAyikA ko nimaMtraNa denA cAhie- usake sAtha upavana-vihAra karanA cAhie aura vaha jo mAMge, use dekara eka bAra use aMkalakSmI banAnA cAhie / rUpayauvanA ke prati moha paidA honA, yaha doSa nUtana nahIM hai, sanAtana hai| mahAsatI sItA ke rUpa-yauvana para mahAvaijJAnika aura prakANDa paMDita rAvaNa kyA mugdha nahIM banA thA ? bhagavAn zaMkara jaise mahAtapasvI bhI eka bhIlanI ke rUpa para kyA mUr3ha nahIM hue the ? draupadI para mugdha hokara kIcaka bhAiyoM ne kyA vinAza ko nimaMtraNa nahIM diyA thA ? koI bhI vyakti jo nArI ke rUpa-yauvana ko lAlacabharI dRSTi se dekhatA hai, vaha kabhI pariNAma kI paravAha nahIM karatA, kyoMki lAlasA kI agni itanI tIvra hotI hai ki vaha manuSya ke viveka ko lIla jAtI hai| narendradeva koI mahApuruSa nahIM thaa| usakA pada- gaurava bar3A thA / bhavana meM do patniyAM thIM / kAyA svastha, sudRr3ha aura surUpa thI / yauvana kA astakAla abhI dUra thaa| zastra aura saMrakSaNa usake vyavasAya yA adhyayana ke aMga the| 1 aisA puruSa yadi rUpavatI vikramA ko dekhakara AkarSita ho to isameM Azcarya hI kyA hai ? rUpa aura yauvana kA sumela AkarSaka hI hotA hai, aisI bAta nahIM hai| usa sumela meM se jAdUbharI mAyA pravRtta hotI hai aura vahI mAyA sabako apanI ora khIMcatI hai| narendradeva ke nayana vikramA ke zarIra para aTaka gaye the| kintu usa becAre jJAta nahIM thA ki gAyikA vikramA avaMtI kI kalArAnI nahIM, avaMtI ke svAmI vikramAditya haiN| donoM bahaneM apanA nRtya pUrA kareM, usase pUrva hI vaitAla manapasanda bhojana kara A gyaa| phira madana aura kAma kA nRtya sampanna huA / vikramA ne donoM bahanoM ko utsAhapUrvaka dhanyavAda diyA / phira sabhI ne donoM bahanoM kI kalAsiddhi ko sarAhA aura kalA - nipuNatA ke lie hRdaya se prazaMsA-vacana kahe / madanamAlA ne vikramA se kahA- 'devI! aba Apa hamArI eka icchA pUrI kareM / ' vikramA ne muskarAte hue praznabharI dRSTi se madanamAlA kI ora dekhA / 60 vIra vikramAditya

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madana bolI- 'devI ! maiMne sunA hai ki Apane rAgamaMjarI kI apUrva sAdhanA kI hai-usa sAdhanA kA hameM darzana kraaeN|' 'sakhI kI icchA kA maiM satkAra karatI hUM-kintu rAgamaMjarI ke gAne ke pazcAt anya koI rAga nahIM gAyA jA skegaa|' madana uttara de, usase pahale hI vINAvAdaka ne pUchA- 'devI ! rAgamaMjarI rAga ke viSaya meN.....| bIca meM hI vikramA ne vINAvAdaka kI ora mur3akara kahA-'AcArya ! bhairava parivAra kI yaha rAginI yogiyoM aura bhakta saMpradAya kI paramparA se prApta huI hai| vINA maiM dhAraNa karUMgI, kyoMki saMgItazAstra se pare hai raagmNjrii|' phira usane rUpamAlA kI ora dekhakara kahA- 'rAgamaMjarI pAMca-sAta rAgoM kI zrRMkhalA nahIM hai-yaha eka svatantra rAginI hai| isakA prabhAva apUrva hai| isake lie eka caur3A pAtra tathA jalakuMbha Avazyaka hogaa| svaramaMjarI kI ArAdhanA se jalakuMbha kA jala svayaM uchalane lagegA, yaha hai isa rAga kA cmtkaar|' 'Apa yaha kyA kahatI haiM ? yaha to paTayoga rAga ke camatkAra se bhI bar3A camatkAra hai|' rUpamAlA ne Azcarya ke sAtha khaa| mahArAjakumAra jitavAhana saMgItajJa nahIM the, kintu rUpamAlA ke saMyoga se ve saMgItapremI bana gaye the| ve zraddhAbharI najaroM se vikramA kI ora dekhane lge| narendradeva ko saMgIta aura rAginI ke camatkAra ke prati koI rasa nahIM thAusakA to rasa vikramA ke rUpa-yauvana meM hI thaa| ardhaghaTikA kAla meM sabhI taiyAriyAM sampanna huiiN| vikramA vAdyamaMDalI ke samakSa eka gAdI para baiTha gii| vINAvAdaka ne apanI vINA vikramA ke sAmane rakha dii| ___ eka dAsI ne caur3A bartana aura jalakuMbha vikramA se pAMca hAtha kI dUrI para rakha diyaa| mRdaMgavAdaka asamaMjasa meM phaMsa gyaa| nUtana gAyikA aura aparicita rAga, kintu vikramA ne use nikaTa bulAkara kahA- 'mahAzaya! Apa saMkoca na kreN| maiM tritAla meM hI gaauuNgii|' mRdaMgavAdaka Azvasta huaa| vikramA ne vINA ke tAroM kA anusaMdhAna kiyA-mRdaMgavAdaka ne bhI mRdaMga ko ThIka-ThAka kiyaa| aura sabake lie aparicita rAgamaMjarI nAma kI rAginI kA svara-dhuna vINA meM se prasRta hone lgaa| rAtri kA tIsarA prahara kabhI kA prArambha ho cukA thaa| vIra vikramAditya 61

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pahale vINA ke tAroM meM rAgamaMjarI kI lahareM thirakane lgiiN| phira vikramA ne mRdu-maMjula svaroM se rAgamaMjarI kI ArAdhanA prArambha kii| vahAM baiThe hue vyaktiyoM ke nayana vikramA kI ora sthira ho gye| rAga ke prabhAva se jalakuMbha se jala ke uchalane kI bAta sabake lie naI thii| sabake nayanoM meM jijJAsA camaka rahI thii| lagabhaga ardhaghaTikA paryanta svarAndolana kA sRjana kara vikramA ne bhagavAn zaMkara kI stuti prArambha kii| mRdaMgavAdaka tritAla dene lgaa| eka ghaTikA pUrI huii| gAyikA kA rAga madhura aura gaMbhIra thaa| gIta hRdaya ko bIMdhane vAlA thaa| vINA ke tAroM se bhairava parivAra kI gupta ginI jAne vAlI rAga 'rAgamaMjarI' muktabhAva se gAyikA ke svaroM ko tarabatara kara rahI thii| usakI dRSTi kabhI vikramA kI ora aura kabhI jalakuMbha kI ora saMcaraNa karatI thii| abhI taka jalakuMbha kA jala sthira thaa| do ghaTikAeM bIta gaIM-gIta madhyama laya meM aayaa| aura sabhI ne Azcarya ke sAtha dekhA ki saMkare muMha vAle jalakuMbha se jala uchalakara puna: usI meM samA jA rahA thA-sabhI darzaka avAk bana ge| kucha hI kSaNoM ke pazcAt jala puna: uchalA aura caur3e bartana meM A giraa| vikramA to svastha hRdaya se rAgamaMjarI kI ArAdhanA meM tallIna ho rahI thii| rUpamAlA ke vAdyakAroM ne vividha rAgoM ke prabhAva ke viSaya meM bahuta kucha suna rakhA thA, para jala meM isa prakAra kI gati ho sakatI hai, yaha azrutapUrva thaa| rUpamAlA ke vINAvAdaka ne eka mahAn saMgItakAra kI sAdhanA meM jalastambhana kI kriyA dekhI thI, para gati adRSTapUrva thii| rUpamAlA bhI vikramA kI isa ArAdhanA ko dekhakara parama Azcarya kA anubhava kara rahI thii| madana aura kAma itanA avazya jAnatI thI ki vikramA avaMtI kI gAyikA nahIM hai, kintu svayaM avaMtI ke adhIzvara haiN| kyA mahArAjA ne aisI bhavya sAdhanA kI hai ? kyoMki isa camatkAra ke pIche agnivaitAla kI icchAzakti kAma kara rahI hai, yaha kauna jAnatA thA? vikramA ke sundara aura madhura kaMThoM se zabda dhIra-gaMbhIra banakara ativega se nikala rahe the| 62 vIra vikramAditya

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eka ghaTikA ke pazcAt drutalaya prArambha huA-jalakuMbha kA jala kSaNa-kSaNa meM uchalane lgaa| phira bhI jalakuMbha kA jala utanA hI rhaa| isa camatkAra ko dekhakara saba avAka raha ge| kisI kA dhyAna rAgamaMjarI ke svara-kallAloM kI ora nahIM rhaa| rAtri kA cauthA prahara kucha hI zeSa thaa| rAgamaMjarI kI mAdhurI, vINA ke tAroM se bikharatI huI rAginI kI suvAsa aura rAginI ke prabhAva kA cmtkaar| ___ jaise kuMbha kA jala uchala rahA thA, vaise hI narendradeva kA hRdaya bhI uchala rahA thA-aisI mahAn kalAlakSmI ko kaise hastagata kiyA jA sakatA hai ? vikramA ke rUpa aura yauvana se vaha kSubdha ho cukA thaa| vikramA ne rAga kA antima rUpa prastuta kara vINA ko eka ora rakha diyaa| aura kuMbha kA jala mAno ki gAyikA kA abhinandana karatA ho, isa prakAra usake mastaka para aMjalIrUpa meM giraa| jitavAhana khar3e ho gae aura bhAvabhare svaroM meM bole- 'dhanya haiM devI vikramA! rUpa! Aja maiM tumheM bhI dhanyavAda detA huuN| yadi tumane mujhe nimaMtraNa nahIM diyA hotA to aisI mahAn sAdhanA ko maiM sAkSAt kaise karatA?' sabhI vAdyakAra bhAvAveza meM Akara devI vikramA ke caraNoM meM gira pdd'e| jalakuMbha to bharA huA hI thA, caur3A pAtra bhI bhara gayA aura sabhI ke mana meM prazna uThA, itanA jala kahAM se AyA ? kuMbha to bharA huA hI hai, caur3e pAtra kA jala kuMbha ke jala se dugunA hai| vikramA Asana se utthii| rUpa-mugdha banA huA narendradeva nikaTa AyA aura usane apane kaMTha se mauktika hAra nikAlakara vinamra svara meM kahA-'devI! Aja maiM dhanya banA hUM- merI UrmI ko satkRta kreN|' vikramA ne muskarAte hue mauktika hAra svIkAra kara liyaa| narendradeva bolA- 'merI eka prArthanA hai|' 'kaheM, kyA kahanA cAhate haiM?' 'mere bhavana para padhArane kA nimaMtraNa detA huuN|' 'maiM dhanya huii| kintu kala mujhe rAjakumArI ke pAsa rahanA hai-vahAM se Ane ke pazcAt Apake nimaMtraNa ko svIkAra kruuNgii|' vikramA ne khaa| usake pazcAt jitavAhana aura unake sabhI sAthI vahAM se vidA hue| vikramA ne mauktika hAra vAdyamaMDalI ke sadasyoM ko de diyaa| prAta:kAla ho cukA thaa| vIra vikramAditya 63

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16. nArI kI vedanA dUsarA dina! tIna prahara pUre ho gae the| vikramA ko lekara rUpamAlA eka ratha meM baiThakara rAjakanyA ke bhavana kI ora prasthita huii| agnivaitAla adRzya rUpa meM ratha meM baiTha gayA thaa| vikramA to yaha jAnatI hI thii| rUpamAlA use dekha nahIM pA rahI thii| rAjakumArI Aja kucha jaldI hI snAna karane ke lie snAnagRha meM gaI huI thii| tailamardana aura ubaTana kI kriyA pUrI huii| saumyagaMdhA ke puSpArka se suvAsita jala eka svaccha hauja meM bharA huA thaa| usakA saurabha vizAla snAnagRha meM cAroM ora phaila rahA thaa| sukumArI kI nirAbharaNa kAyA ko uSNajala se tailayukta kara mukhya paricArikA ne rAjakanyA ko hauja para calane kI prArthanA kii| jisakA pratyeka aMga-pratyaMga rUpa aura yauvana ke teja se AkarSaka aura sundara thA, vaha rAjakanyA dhIre-dhIre calakara hauja ke pAsa AyI aura hauja ke svaccha jala meM par3ane vAle apane pratibimba ko kSaNabhara dekhatI rhii| phira vaha hauja meM utrii| usI samaya eka dAsI ne Akara daravAje para halkI-sI dastaka dii| mukhya paricArikA ne dvAra ke pAsa Akara pUchA-'kauna ?' 'devI rUpamAlA aura devI vikramA-donoM AyI haiN| bAhara khar3I haiN|' dAsI ne uttara diyaa| 'tU khar3I raha-maiM rAjakumArI se pUchatI huuN|' yaha kahakara mukhya paricArikA sukumArI ke pAsa gaI aura dAsI dvArA pradatta saMdeza kaha sunaayaa| sukumArI ne prasannatA se kahA-'acchA, acchA-tU dAsI ko kahanA ki vaha vikramA ko lekara yahAM aae|' vikramA aura rUpamAlA-donoM eka khaMDa meM baiThI thiiN| dAsI ne Akara kahA, 'rAjakumArIjI devI vikramA ko snAnagRha meM bulA rahI haiN|' 'snAnagRha meM?' vikramA ne Azcarya bhare svaroM meM puuchaa| 'jI hAM-rAjakumArIjI Aja kucha jaldI hI snAnagRha meM padhAra gaI haiN|' dAsI ne khaa| ___ vikramA to kevala nArI kA rUpa thI- usakA mana puruSa kA thaa| usane socA64 vIra vikramAditya

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aise chadmaveza kA durupayoga nahIM karanA caahie| sukumArI alpavRkSa hogImaiM use isa rUpa meM dekheM, yaha nyAyasaMgata nahIM hogaa| aisA socakara vikramA ne rUpamAlA kI ora dekhakara kahA-'isa prakAra jAne meM kucha saMkoca kA anubhava ho rahA hai|' 'isameM saMkoca kaisA? tuma jAo, maiM yahIM baiThI huuN|' rUpamAlA ne khaa| vikramA kA hRdaya kAMpa utthaa| usane dAsI kI ora dekhakara kahA'rAjakumArIjI ko merA praNAma khnaa| ve vastra-parivartana kara leM, taba maiM unase milUMgI-yahAM baiThe rahane meM mujhe koI saMkoca nahIM hai|' dAsI tatkAla bAhara calI gii| lagabhaga do ghaTikA ke bAda sukumArI svayaM baiThaka khaMDa meM aayii| rAjakanyA ko dekhate hI rUpamAlA aura vikramA-donoM khar3I ho giiN| vikramA ne vinamra svaroM meM kahA- 'rAjakumArI kI jaya ho! ApakA citta to prasanna hai?' 'hAM, sakhI! tumako dekhakara merA citta ati prasanna ho gayA hai', kahakara rAjakumArI eka Asana para baiTha gaI aura rUpamAlA se kahA- 'rUpa! kala rAta kaba taka jAgaraNa huA thA?' rUpamAlA bolI-'prAta:kAla taka jAganA par3A thaa| kala rAta devI vikramA ne sabakA mana jIta liyaa|' aura usane rAta meM ghaTita camatkAra kI bAta kaha sunaaii| pUrI bAta sunakara sukumArI ne kahA- 'oha ! maiM to maMdabhAgya hI rhii|' bIca meM hI vikramA bola par3I-'kumArIjI! yadi Apa vahAM AtI to maMdabhAgya kI bAta hotI, Aja maiM svayaM Apake pAsa upasthita ho gaI huuN|' 'tumhArA bhAvArtha samajha gaI, sakhI! uttama kula meM janma lenA bhAgya kA hI phala hai| kintu gaurava, maryAdA aura viveka sahita jIvana jInA bahuta kaThina hotA hai|' rAjakanyA ne bhAvabhare svaroM meM khaa| phira rAta kI carcA kara rUpamAlA apane bhavana kI ora calI gii| rAjakanyA ne vikramA ke nivAsa ke lie atithigRha meM vyavasthA na karA, apane hI khaMDa meM vyavasthA karavAI thii| sAyaM bhojana Adi se nivRtta hokara sukumArI vikramA ko sAtha lekara udyAna meM calI gii| ghUmate-ghUmate donoM eka kRtrima sarovara ke kinAre para AyIM, taba vikramArUpI vikramAditya ne sarovara meM kamala puSpoM kI ora dekhakara kahA-'adbhuta! apUrva!' 'kyA, sakhI?' 'vIra vikramAditya 65

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'milana!' 'kisakA milana?' 'puruSa aura prakRti kaa| isa ora dekho, sUryAsta ho gayA hai| kamala mukulita ho gayA hai, kintu milana kI mAdhurI meM alamasta banA huA bhramara paMkaja kI goda meM samA gayA hai| prANa gaMvAne kA bhaya hote hue bhI bhramara apanI priyatamA kI vyavasthA ko kATakara bAhara nikalane ke lie taiyAra nahIM haiM majabUta kATha ko bheda dene vAlA bhramara phUla kI komala paMkhur3iyoM ko bhedane ke lie taiyAra nahIM hai| adbhuta! adbhuta!' 'sakhI!' sukumArI ke svara meM halkA-sA roSa thaa| 'kyA, rAjakumArIjI?' 'tumheM mere sAta-sAta bhavoM kI pIr3A kA ahasAsa nahIM hai... / tuma mere sAmane puruSa ke viSaya kI koI bhI carcA kabhI mata krnaa|' 'maiM samajhI nhiiN|' 'mujhe puruSa jAti ke prati pUrNa ghRNA hai|' 'binA kAraNa hI?' 'kAraNa bahuta prabala hai-kabhI smjhaauuNgii|' 'rAjakumArIjI! Aja hI, abhI hI samajhAeM-calie, hama isa vRkSa ke nIce baiThatI haiN| Apa jaba taka nahIM batalAeMgI taba taka merA citta azAnta rhegaa| vikramA ne khaa| 'acchA to hama bhavana meM caleM / merI bAta kucha lambI hai|' 'acchaa|' vikramA ne khaa| aura donoM bhavana kI ora prasthita ho giiN| vikramA ne dekha liyA thA ki pUre bhavana meM eka bhI puruSa nahIM thaa| rakSA kA kAma bhI striyAM hI karatI thiiN| vikramA ko sAtha lekara rAjakumArI apane baiThaka kakSa meM aayii| vaha prakAza se bharA huA thaa| rAjakumArI ne vikramA ko apane pAsa baiThane ke lie khaa| sukumArI ne vahAM khar3I donoM paricArikAoM ko saMketa kiyA aura ve donoM kakSa ke bAhara calI giiN| phira usane vikramA kA hAtha pakar3akara kahA-'sakhI! puruSa svArthI hI hotA hai-merA yaha anubhava Aja kA nahIM hai, sAta-sAta janmoM kA hai| merA anubhava sunakara tuma svayaM kahogI ki puruSa svArthI hI hotA hai|' vikramA rAjakumArI ko ekaTaka nihAra rahI thii| agnivaitAla kabhI kA bhaTTamAtra ke pAsa pahuMca gayA thaa| vaha bhojana kara madhyarAtri meM Ane vAlA thaa| 66 vIra vikramAditya

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rAjakanyA bolI - 'priya sakhI! jaba maiM ATha-nau varSa kI thI, taba mujhe pUrva-janmoM kI smRti huI thii| isI ke AdhAra para maiMne pUrva chaha janma dekhe the / merA vaha atIta itanA vyathAdAyI thA ki maiM usase bhayAkrAnta ho gii| pala-pala vaha mujhe pIr3ita karane lagA / maiMne usako vismRta karane ke lie nRtya aura saMgIta meM mana lagAyA aura teraha varSa kI Ayu meM vaha jAti-smRti - jJAna vilupta ho gayA - kintu chaha janmoM kI du:khada smRti se maiM chuTakArA nahIM pA sakI - vaha mere Atma-pradezoM para aMkita ho cukI thii| maiMne aneka prayatna kiye - saMgIta kI kaThina se kaThina sAdhanA kI, kintu puruSajAti ke prati jo ghRNA mana meM upaja cukI thI, vaha uttarottara bar3hatI hI gii| jo puruSa mujhe pyArabharI dRSTi se dekhatA, usakA maiM vadha karavA detI / mere mAtA-pitA bahuta duHkhI ho ge| ve mere vivAha ke lie cintita hue| mere lie alaga vyavasthA kI gii| yahAM yadi koI puruSa AtA hai to usakI mRtyu nizcita hotI hai / ' vikramA bolI- 'rAjakumArIjI ! aisI kauna-sI vyathA Apane bhogI, jisake kAraNa puruSa jAti ke prati itanI ghRNA paidA ho gaI ?' 'vikramA ! maiM tumheM yahI to batAnA cAhatI hUM-bhagavAna na kare, kisI ko strI kI yoni mile / ' yaha sunakara vikramA haMsa par3I / rAjakumArI ne pUchA- 'haMsI kaise AyI ?' 'Apa bahuta saMvedanazIla haiN| yadi strI paidA na ho to sRSTi hI samApta ho jaae| jIvana kA Ananda dhUla meM mila jaae| AzA aura Ananda ke gIta jalakara rAkha ho jAeM / ' vikramA ne kahA / sukumArI ne vikramA kA hAtha pakar3ate hue kahA - 'vikramA ! itanI adhIra mata bno| maiMne abhI apane pUrvabhavoM kA paritApa batAyA hI kahAM hai ?' vikramA saralahRdayA rAjakumArI kI ora dekhane lagI / sukumArI ne kahA- 'aise to yaha jIva ananta janma kara cukA hai, parantu jAti - smaraNa - jJAna kI eka maryAdA hai| isase kevala sAta bhava hI jAne jA sakate haiN| eka bhava kI bAta tumheM batA rahI huuN| lakSmIpura nAma kA nagara / koTyAdhIza dhana nAma kA zreSThI / merA vivAha usake sAtha huaa| merA nAma thA zrImatI / jaba lar3akI pahalI bAra sasurAla jAtI hai, taba usake mana meM kitanI mahattvAkAMkSAeM hotI haiN| hRdaya meM AzA kA saMgIta hotA hai| kintu suhAgarAta kI pahalI ghar3I / patideva zayanakakSa meM aae| Ate hI kahA- 'dekho! pitA ke ghara se jo gahane pahanakara AyI ho, unheM utArakara peTI meM rakha do| kyoMki gahane yadi pratidina pahane jAte haiM, to ve ghisa vIra vikramAditya 67

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jAte haiN| kabhI-kabhI ina gahanoM meM jar3ita ratna-hIre Adi kho jAte haiM isalie pratidina pahanane ke lie kAMca aura zaMkha vAle AbhUSaNa hI acche hote haiN| aise bahumUlya alaMkAra to vAra-tyohAra para hI pahane jAte haiN| maiMne ye zabda sune| merI AzAoM para pAnI phira gayA-maiM kyA kahatI, ve bahuta lobhI the| uttama kapar3e bhI nahIM pahanane dete| ghara meM phaTe-purAne vastra pahanane pdd'te| mere eka putra huaa| usakA nAma karNakumAra rkhaa| usako bhI khAne-pIne ke lie pUrA nahIM dete| ghara meM apAra sampatti, para dAsa-dAsI koI nhiiN| itane kRpaNa theve| eka bAra maiM unakI icchA ke viparIta apane pitA ke sAtha tIrthATana ke lie calI gii| cAra mahInoM ke bAda ghara aayii| dhana-seTha bahuta roSa meM bhare the, kyoMki maiM unako pUchakara nahIM gaI thii| ghara para pahuMcate hI mujhe eka koTharI meM banda kara lAThiyoM se itanA pITA ki mere prANa-pakherU ur3a gye|' - 'itanA niSThura!' vikramA ne puuchaa| 'hAM, vikramA! bahuta nisstthur| aura mujhe kucha bhI smRti nhiiN| kintu usa bhava meM jo vyathA maiMne bhogI hai, vakyA kabhI bhUlI jA sakatI hai? kyA aisI svArthaparAyaNa puruSa jAti ke prati zraddhA ho sakatI hai? sakhI! eka janma meM maiM caMpApurI ke rAjA ke yahAM rAjakanyA ke rUpa meM jnmii| merA vivAha huaa| pati kA prema mujhe milaa| para vaha kucha samaya taka hI rhaa| pati ne dUsarI rAjakanyA se pANigrahaNa kara liyA aura mujhe apamAnita kara dUra pheMka diyaa| ve donoM raMgaraliyAM manAte, yAtrA ke lie jAte aura mujhe pahanane ke lie acche vastra bhI prApta nahIM hote| apAra vedanA meM maiM jIvana bitAne lgii| maiM isI pIr3A meM mRtyudhAma phuNcii| sakhI! batAo, kyA ye do anubhava pIr3AdAyaka nahIM haiM ? nArI kI vedanA kA tIsarA anubhava bhI tuma suno| maiM eka janma meM mRgI banI thii| eka duSTa mRga kI patnI huI...vaha mujhe bAra-bAra pIr3ita karatA thaa| vaha atyanta kAmAndha aura duSTa thA...maiM sagarbhA huI...phira bhI usa duSTa ne viveka nahIM rakhA....maiMne use samajhAyA-para vaha kaamaandhthaa| usane kupita hokara mere peTa meM sIMga se prahAra kiyA-merA peTa phaTa gyaa| maiM samatA meM rhii| tatkAla mRtyu ho gii|' vikramA kA hRdaya pasIja gyaa| vaha ekaTaka rAjakanyA ko dekhane lgii| sukumArI ne kahA-'vikramA! merA cauthA anubhava bhI vedanA se bharapUra hai|' 20. aMgulinirdeza rAjakanyA ne vikramA ke sundara nayanoM ke sAmane dekhakara kahA-'sakhI! mRgI ke bhava meM merI mRtyu zubha pariNAmoM meM huii| devagati meM merA janma huA, kintu 68 vIra vikramAditya

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bhAgyavaza vahAM bhI maiMne strIyoni meM hI janma liyaa| maiM vibhAvasu nAmaka deva kI patnI bnii| devatAoM kA sukha akatha hotA hai, kintu mere bhAgya meM to vedanA hI likhI huI thii| mere devapati vibhAvasu kI eka pUrva priyatamA thii| usakA varcasva itanA thA ki prArambha se hI mere rUpa aura yauvana kI upekSA hone lgii| merA devapati apanI purAnI priyatamA ke sAtha hI AnandavihAra karatA aura usI meM lIna rhtaa| mujhe vaha kabhI sAtha meM nahIM le jaataa| maiM atyanta pIr3A kA anubhava karatI thii| maiM isI mAnasika vedanA ko bhogatI huI, devabhava pUrA kara puna: manuSya bhava meM aayii| ___magadha deza meM padmapura nAmaka nagara thaa| vahAM mukunda nAmaka vipra ke ghara maiMne putrI ke rUpa meM janma liyaa| patA nahIM, mujhe strI yoni hI kyoM prApta hotI gaI? maiM ati sundara thii| isalie mAtA-pitA ne merA nAma manoramA rakhA / mere mAtA-pitA jaina dharmAvalambI the| maiM bhI jinezvara deva kI bhakti meM rasa lene lgii| yauvanAvasthA meM merA vivAha devazarmA nAmaka yuvaka vipra ke sAtha huaa| strI jaba pati ke gRhAMgaNa meM jAtI hai, taba usake hRdaya meM aneka AzAeM aThakheliyAM karatI haiM-pati ke prati eka prakAra kA samarpaNa bhAva jAgatA hai-isI ullAsa ke sAtha maiM patigRha meM gaI aura pahalI hI rAta meM hRdaya para bhArI AghAta lgaa| devazarmA javAna thA, para saMskArI nahIM thaa| vaha mAnatA thA ki strI jAti kA kabhI vizvAsa nahIM karanA caahie| usako pairoM tale dabAe rakhane meM hI zreyas haiN| isI vicAradhArA ke vazIbhUta hokara usane merI komala kAyA para, usa pahalI rAta meM hI, cAbuka ke tIvra prahAra kie....|' na usane mere hRdayagata bhAvoM ko jAnane kA prayatna kiyA aura na mere rUpa-yauvana ko hI usane dekhaa| usakA svabhAva bhI ugra thaa| vaha viveka-vikala aura aziSTa thaa| usakI vANI abhadra thii| khAdya-akhAdya kA viveka usameM nahIM thaa| maiM kabhI-kabhI use upadeza kI bhASA meM prArthanA karatI to vaha mujhe pITatA aura maiM vyathA se chaTapaTA utthtii| manuSya ke mana kA jaba kalpAMta hotA hai, taba usake jIvana kA rasa kSINa ho jAtA hai| pati ke akathya pIr3ArUpa vyavahAra ke kAraNa mere meM dharma kI zraddhA bar3hI thI, phira bhI durdhyAna kI avasthA meM merI mRtyu huii| chaThe bhava meM malayAcala ke aMcala meM eka totI ke rUpa meM merA janma huaa| tiryaMca gati meM janma lene vAle jIva meM bhI apane sukha-du:kha ke anubhava kA jJAna to hotA hI hai| vahAM rahate eka tote ke sAtha merA mela-milApa ho gyaa| usako maiM pati ke rUpa meM svIkAra kara jIvanayApana karane lgii| maiM sagarbhA huii| maiMne apane pati tote se kahA-kisI uttama vRkSa para hameM eka nIr3a banAnA caahie| kintu merA pati pramAdI thaa| vaha zrama se katarAtA thaa| isalie maiMne sArA zrama kara eka zamI vRkSa para nIr3a bnaayaa| maiMne do aNDe diye / yathAsamaya do sundara vIra vikramAditya 66

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bacce paidA hue| donoM ke poSaNa ke lie mujhe hI sArA zrama karanA pdd'taa| merA pati kucha bhI zrama nahIM karatA thaa| abhI bacce ur3ane kI sthiti meM nahIM the| acAnaka dAvAnala se sArA vana-pradeza jalane lgaa| maiMne pati se kahA-'dAvAnala nikaTa hA rahA hai| hameM baccoM ko lekara kisI nirApada sthAna meM cale jAnA hai| eka bacce ko tuma lekara ur3o aura eka ko lekara maiM udduuNgii| kintu merA pati atyanta svArthI thaa| usane merI bAta sunI-anasanI kara dii| dAvAnala Age se Age bar3ha rahA thaa| maiM akelI donoM baccoM ko lekara ur3a sakane meM asamartha thii| pati mAna nahIM rahA thaa| merA dila vyathA se chaTapaTAne lgaa| mauta sAmane dIkha rahI thii| maiM apane donoM baccoM ko apane paMkhoM se DhaMka paramAtmA kA smaraNa karane lgii| kucha hI kSaNoM ke pazcAt dAvAnala kI Aga meM maiM apane donoM baccoM ke sAtha jalakara bhasma ho gii| marate samaya merA mana zubha dhyAna meM tallIna thaa| maiM marakara isa sAtaveM bhava meM isI nagarI ke mahArAja zAlivAhana ke ghara putrI ke rUpa meM jnmii| karmoM kI viDambanA ! sAta-sAta bhavoM meM maiM strI rUpa meM hI janma letI rahI hUM aura pichale chaha bhavoM kA jo bhayaprada anubhava huA hai, yadi maiM jAti-smaraNajJAna ke dvArA una bhavoM ko nahIM dekha pAtI to isa janma meM bhI maiM kisI aise hI puruSa ke sAtha vivAha kara usI prakAra kI vyathA bhugttii|' vikramArUpI vikramAditya vicAramagna ho ge| usane socA- eka hI jIva ko bAra-bAra yadi aisA anubhava hotA hai to nizcaya hI vaha puruSa jAti ke prati vizvAsa rakha hI nahIM sktaa| phira bhI mujhe dakSiNa bhArata kI isa sundarI ke mana ko yogya mArga para lagAnA hai, kintu kisa upAya se? vikramA ko vicAramagna dekhakara rAjakumArI ne pUchA-'tumheM merI antavyathA kA paricaya to ho hI gayA hogA?' ___ 'hAM, rAjakumArIjI! yaha atyanta karuNa aura dAruNa vedanA hai| kintu yadi Apa dhairyapUrvaka suneM to maiM Apako ina sAta bhavoM kA rahasya samajhAnA cAhatI huuN|' 'sakhI! maiM dhairyapUrvaka sunUMgI aura yadi tumhArI bAtoM meM tathya hogA to maiM avazya hI svIkAra kruuNgii|' ___ 'maiM dhanya huI-kintu mujhe aisA pratIta ho rahA hai ki carcA lambI hogI, isalie Apa cAheM to kl....|' _ 'oha! tumane kala rAta jAgaraNa kiyA thA, yaha mujhe yAda hI nahIM rhaa| hama kala carcA kareMgI-Aja tuma ArAma kro| calo, hama donoM zayanagRha meM cleN|' vikramA ko bhI isa anubhava-kathA para vicAra-maMthana karanA thA, isalie vaha jAne ke lie tatpara ho gyii| 100 vIra vikramAditya

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donoM zayanagRha meM aayiiN| vikramA kI zayyA rAjakumArI ke pAsa hI thii| yaha dekhakara vikramArUpI-vikramAditya kA mana kucha vyAkula huA- svayaM puruSa hai, isa sundarI sukumArI kA AkarSaNa bhI apAra hai- ekAnta meM yadi mana kA baMdhana DhIlA ho jAe to vicitra pariNAma A sakatA hai| vikramA ne kahA- 'rAjakumArI! merI eka prArthanA hai|' 'kho|' 'merI zayyA kisI anya khaMDa meM karavA deM to acchA rhegaa|' 'kyoM ? hama donoM bAteM karatI-karatI so jaaeNgii|' . 'mujhe koI dUsarI Apatti nahIM hai, kintu merI prakRti kI eka kamajorI hai| yadi merI zayyA ke pAsa kisI bhI dUsare kI zayyA hotI hai to mujhe nIMda AtI hI nhiiN|' 'vAha, yaha to khUba khaa| kintu eka hI khaNDa meM yadi do striyAM so rahI hoM to....?' 'isIlie to maiMne kahA ki merI prakRti kI kamajorI hai|' haMsate hue vikramA ne khaa| 'acchA' kahakara rAjakumArI ne mAdhavI ko bulAkara devI vikramA kI zayyA dUsare khaNDa meM karane kI AjJA dii| tatpazcAt kucha samaya taka donoM avaMtI nagarI ke viSaya kI bAtacIta karatI rahIM, phira vikramA apane zayana-khaNDa kI ora gii| zayana-khaNDa kA dvAra baMda kara vikramA jaba apanI zayyA para so gaI, taba tatkAla agnivaitAla prakaTa huA aura bolA- 'mahArAja! kyA kucha AzA dIkha rahI hai?' 'Ao, mitra! AzA to hai hii| mahAmaMtrI to kuzala haiM na?' 'brAhmaNa kA jIva hai-becArA Akula-vyAkula ho rahA hai| rUpamAlA ke ghara meM akele rahanA, kucha bhI kAma nahIM-kisI ke sAtha bolacAla nahIM, phira akulAhaTa kyoM na ho?' agnivaitAla ne khaa| 'aba kevala cAra-pAMca dinoM meM hI yaha samasyA samAhita ho jaayegii| abhI tumheM bhojana ke lie jAnA hI hai|' 'hAM, abhI do ghaTikA zeSa haiN| pahale maiM bhaTTamAtra ke pAsa jAUMgA, phira bhojana le AUMgA aur.....|' 'tumheM kahIM jAnA ho to cale jaanaa| tumhArI AvazyakatA aba kala hI hogii|' vIra vikramAditya 101

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'kyoM?' 'kala mujhe rAjakanyA kA manoraMjana karanA hogaa| tumheM bhI camatkAra dikhAnA hogaa|' 'taba to mujhe bhI Ananda hogaa| koI aisA rAga Apa nikAleM, jisameM camatkAra dikhAne kA pUrA avakAza ho|' 'kala to maiM pracalita rAga meM hI gAUMgA, parantu jaba maiM meghamalhAra kI ArAdhanA prArambha karUM taba tumako megha-garjanA kA camatkAra dikhAnA hai|' 'varSA to nahIM karanI hai?' 'yaha kaise zakya ho sakatA hai ?' 'maiM rAjakumArI ke prAsAda ke cAroM ora varSA karane meM samartha huuN|' 'taba to bahuta Ananda aayegaa| kyoMki megha-malhAra kI yahI pariNati hai| kintu isakI ArAdhanA atyanta kaThina hai, isalie virala sAdhaka hI varSA karA sakatA hai|' vikramA ne khaa| agnivaitAla ne haMsate hue kahA-'Apa bhI virala hI haiM na! eka rAjakanyA ke lie kisI ne aisI ArAdhanA kI ho, aisA maiMne Aja taka nahIM sunaa|' __ "satya kahate ho, mitra! kintu aisA karanA mere lie anivArya ho gayA hai, kyoMki kisI ke anubhava ko tor3anA sarala nahIM hai|' isa prakAra aneka carcAeM kara agnivaitAla adRzya ho gyaa| aura vikramAditya rAjakanyA ke mana kA pariSkAra kaise kiyA jAe-isa viSaya kA cintana karatekarate nidrAdevI kI goda meM calA gyaa| sUryodaya huaa| snAna Adi se nivRtta hokara rAjakanyA aura vikrama ne sAtha baiThakara prAtarAza liyA aura phira donoM ekAnta meM eka latA-maNDapa meM jA baiTha ge| ___rAjakanyA ne kahA-'bolo, sakhI! tumheM jo kucha kahanA ho, vaha ni:saMkoca bhAva se kho| isa prakAra sAta-sAta bhavoM taka kaThora vedanA ko bhoganA kisI duSkarma kA phala hai| aisA sabhI kahate haiN| maiM jina-pravacana kI ArAdhaka hUM, isalie maiM bhI yahI mAnatI huuN|' vikramA bolI- 'rAjakumArI jI! Apane jo sAta bhavoM kI apanI vyathA sunAI, vaha eka nigUDha satya hai| pratyeka jIva vyathA kA kisI-na-kisI rUpa meM anubhava karatA hI hai| Apane jo apanA anubhava batAyA, vaha AzcaryakArI nahIM hai| yadi mujhe jAti-smaraNa-jJAna prApta ho to saMbhava hai merA anubhava Apake anubhava se bhI adhika vedanAmaya ho|' 102 vIra vikramAditya

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"ThIka hai, isIlie to jJAnI vyaktiyoM ne saMsAra ko eka tUphAnI sAgara kI upamA se upamita kiyA hai|' 'kintu Apake anubhava ke pIche Apake prANoM meM manuSya jAti ke prati jo ghRNA hai, vahI vedanA kA mukhya kAraNa hai|' 'sakhI....!' rAjakumArI ne Azcarya bhare svaroM meM khaa| 'maiMne pahale hI Apase abhaya kI prArthanA kara lI hai|' vikramA ne khaa| 'vikramA ! mujhe du:kha nahIM, Azcarya hotA hai|' 'aneka bAra aisA hotA hai ki manuSya satya se bhaTaka uThatA hai| pUrva ke chaha bhavoM meM Apane jina-jina puruSoM ke sAtha paricaya prApta kiyA hai, ve sabhI puruSa ApakI taraha eka hI jIva-rUpa meM to nahIM the na?' 'haaN|' 'Apane devaloka meM janma liyaa| Apake pati deva vibhAvasu ke hRdaya meM Apake prati koI prIti nahIM rahI, kintu ve apanI anya priyatamA ke prati to mugdha the| isakA yaha artha hotA hai ki unake mana meM nArI ke prati dveSa yA virAga nahIM thA, kevala Apa hI unakA prema prApta nahIM kara skiiN| chahoM bhavoM meM bhinna-bhinna puruSoM ne Apake prati udAsInatA baratI, Apake prati anurAga nahIM dikhaayaa| isakA mukhya kAraNa ApakA hI koI supta doSa honA caahie| bAlyAvasthA meM Apako jAtismRti-jJAna kI upalabdhi huI aura Apane apane anubhava ke AdhAra para apane mana meM puruSoM kI vikRta chavi aMkita kara lI, Apake hRdaya meM dveSa kI cinagArI prakaTa ho gayI....dveSa zubha bhAvanAoM ko rAkha banA DAlatA hai| chahoM bhavoM meM Apake hRdaya meM puruSa ke prati du:kha rhaa| isa du:kha kI pRSThabhUmi meM dveSa-rUpI rAkSasa khela rahA thaa| vahI isa sAtaveM bhava meM ugrarUpa se prakaTa huA hai| ApakA hRdaya komala aura pavitra hai| kintu Aja vaha usa daitya ke vaza meM A gayA hai| rAjakumArI jI! merA eka prazna hai ki Apako mAtra chaha puruSoM kA anubhava hai, jabaki saMsAra meM aneka puruSa nivAsa karate haiN| Apake mahAn pitA bhI eka puruSa haiN| Apa eka bAra unakI ora dRSTipAta kreN| kyA ve ApakI mAtA ko tanika bhI du:kha dete haiM?' rAjakumArI maMtramugdha hokara vikramA kI bAteM suna rahI thii| vikramA bolI- 'yadi Apa veza-parivartana kara mere sAtha nagarI meM caleM, to maiM Apako aisI aneka striyAM batAUMgI, jo apane pati ko izAroM para nacAtI haiM, apane mana ke anusAra unase kArya letI haiM athavA unako pIr3A pahuMcAtI haiM aura maiM Apako aise puruSa bhI batA sakatI hUM, jo apanI priyA ko hRdaya meM jhulAte haiM, aura gaurava kA anubhava karate haiN|' vIra vikramAditya 103

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'sakhI! tumane to mere anubhavoM para hI prahAra kara ddaalaa|' 'nahIM, rAjakumArI jI! Apake hRdaya meM aMkita isa vikRta chavi kI ora maiMne aMguli-nirdeza kiyA hai| maiM Apako vizvAsa dilAtI hUM ki yadi Apa eka bAra puruSa ke prati palane vAlI ghRNA ko hRdaya se dUra kara detI haiM, to Apako parama zAnti prApta hogI aura jo atRpti Apako sAta-sAta bhavoM se vikala banA rahI hai, vaha atRpta Ananda meM parivartita ho jaaegii|' ___ 'oha!' kahatI huI rAjakumArI ne donoM hAthoM se apanA mastaka dabAyA aura bolI-'vikramA ! merA mana atyanta vikala ho gayA hai....hama phira carcA kreNgii| maiM bhI soca letI huuN|' 'Apa avazya hI zAMtacitta hokara soceM / yadi merI bAta Apake hRdaya ko chU sakI, to maiM apane Apako dhanya maanuuNgii|' vikramA ne khaa| phira donoM latAmaNDala se bAhara aayiiN| 21. Azcarya rAjakumArI ke sAtha huI thor3I-sI carcA ke phalasvarUpa vikramAditya ke hRdaya meM AzA jAgRta ho cukI thii| rAjakumArI ke mana meM kyA uthala-puthala hai, isakI kalpanA avazya thI, phira bhI vikramAditya ko yaha spaSTa pratIti ho gaI thI ki rAjakumArI ke hRdaya meM eka cinagArI avazya hI janma le cukI hai aura vaha Aga banakara usake prANoM meM niruddha nara-dveSa ko rAkha banA sakatI hai| . bhojana ke kSaNoM meM bhI vikramAditya ne dekhA ki rAjakumArI kucha gaMbhIra banI huI hai-bhojana karate samaya bhI vaha vicAroM meM ulajhI huI thii| jaba manuSya ke mana meM vicAroM kA saMgharSa hotA hai, taba svAbhAvika hai ki vaha gaMbhIra bana jAtA hai| bhojana se nivRtta hokara rAjakanyA sukumArI vikramA ko sAtha lekara eka susajjita khaNDa meM gii| __ Aja rAtri meM saMgIta kA kAryakrama rakhA gayA thaa| usameM bhAga lene ke lie maMjarI devI aura rUpamAlA ko nimaMtraNa bhejA jA cukA thaa| sAtha-hI-sAtha rAjakumArI ne apane mAtA-pitA ko bhI bulA bhejA thaa| saMgIta ke kAryakrama ko suvyavasthita rUpa dene ke lie mAdhavI usameM saMlagna ho gaI thii| mukhavAsa lene ke pazcAt vikramA ne pUchA- 'rAjakumArIjI! Apako mere prazna kA uttara denA hai|' 104 vIra vikramAditya

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'mujhe yAda hai, sakhI! tumhAre prazna ke pIche kucha tathya bhI haiN| kintu merA anubhava itanA du:khada hai ki mere mana meM puruSa jAti ke prati jo ghRNA hai, vaha miTa nahIM sktii| jisa puruSa jAti ne chaha-chaha janmoM taka mere sAtha tanika bhI prIti nahIM rakhI, mere samarpaNa kI maryAdA kI rakSA nahIM kI, usa puruSa jAti ke prati mere prANoM meM sadbhAva kaise ho sakatA hai?' 'devI ! kSamA kareM, eka bAta maiM kahanA cAhatI huuN|' 'kho|' 'kevala chaha puruSoM ke anubhava ke AdhAra para sampUrNa puruSa-jAti ke prati ghRNA karanA ucita nahIM ho sktaa| yaha to sarAsara anyAya hI kahA jaaegaa| yahAM saMsAra meM kucheka striyAM vezyAvRtti se jIvanayApana karatI haiM to kyA saMsAra kI sArI striyAM ghRNA kI pAtra bana jAtI haiM ? Apake anubhava ko maiM asatya yA kAlpanika nahIM maantii| maiMne bhI sunA hai ki jAti-smRti-jJAna se pUrvabhavoM kA smaraNa hotA hai aura sAre dRzya AMkhoM ke sAmane tairane laga jAte haiN| yadi maiM apane pUrvabhavoM kA anubhava sunAUM to Apako lagegA ki strI-jAti ghRNA ke yogya hai|' ___ 'kyA tumheM jAti-smRti-jJAna huA thA?' __ 'nahIM, rAjakumArIjI ! mere jaisI gaNikA ke lie vaha sazakya nahIM to kaThina avazya hai, kintu maiM eka kalpanA Apake samakSa prastuta karatI hUM- maiMne apane isa choTe-se jIvana meM bahuta dekhA hai, bahuta sunA hai, kyoMki merA vyavasAya hai gaNikA kaa| mujhe kalA ke sAtha jInA hotA hai aura aneka puruSoM se paricaya karanA hotA hai| koI puruSa mere rUpa ko dekhane AtA hai aura koI madhura kaMTha ko sunane AtA hai| koI puruSa merI kalA ko parakhane AtA hai, to koI rUpa-yauvana kA abhinaMdana karane AtA hai| phira bhI mere mana meM puruSa-jAti ke prati kabhI ghRNA nahIM hotI, para karuNA avazya AtI hai|' 'karuNA!' ___'hAM, devI! aneka puruSa aise hote haiM jo patnI ke svabhAva se atyanta du:khI jIvana bitAte haiM aura usako kucha halkA karane ke lie ve nagaravadhuoM ke pAsa Ate haiN| kucha puruSa aise hote haiM jo ghara meM pativratA sundara patnI hone para bhI bAhara bhaTakate rahate haiM- vAstava meM aise sabhI puruSa dayA ke pAtra haiM, kyoMki ve asalI gulAba ko chor3akara kAgaja ke gulAba kI ora daur3ate haiN|' rAjakumArI ne bIca meM hI prazna karate hue pUchA- 'vyavasAya kI dRSTi se tumheM aneka puruSoM se paricaya prApta huA hogA? kyA tumheM aisA koI puruSa nahIM milA, jisane vacanabhaMga kara tumhAre komala hRdaya ko pIr3ita kiyA ho ?' vIra vikramAditya 105

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'rAjakumArIjI! merI avasthA abhI choTI hai| maiM muzkila se bIsa varSa kI huI huuN| maiMne abhI taka kisI puruSa ko praNaya kI dRSTi se nahIM dekhA hai| merA vyavasAya hI aisA hai ki mujhe deha-lAlasA se dUra hI rahanA hotA hai aura eka bAta yaha bhI hai ki mujhe abhI taka merI kalpanA kA puruSa milA hI nahIM hai| vikramA ne gaMbhIra hote hue khaa| 'tumhArI kalpanA kA puruSa ?' 'hAM, rAjakumArIjI ! jisake mana meM kalA ke prati prema ho aura jo kalA kA parama pujArI ho, aisA puruSa prApta ho tabhI merA mana saMtuSTa ho sakatA hai|' isa prakAra vikramArUpI vikramAditya dhIre-dhIre apanA hetu siddha karane ke lie jAla gUMthane lgaa| rAjakumArI ko kabhI bhI puruSa saMbaMdhI bAtoM meM rasa nahIM AtA thA, kintu Aja usake hRdaya meM kutUhala utpanna ho gayA thaa| usane pUchA-'sakhI ! maiM tumhAre Azaya ko samajhI nhiiN|' vikramA ne haMsate-haMsate kahA-'isa saMsAra meM sabhI strI-puruSoM meM kuchana-kucha pAgalapana hotA hI hai| mere mana meM bhI eka pAgalapana hai| maiM mAnatI hUM ki jo puruSa kalA kA pujArI hotA hai, vaha apanI priyatamA ko hRdaya se lagAe rakhatA hai, kyoMki strI bhI kalA kI hI pratIka hotI hai| kalAkAra ke prANoM meM udAratA bharI rahatI hai| vaha sadA masta aura prasannacitta rahatA hai| vaha choTI-moTI bAtoM meM kabhI nahIM uljhtaa| yadi kalAkAra ke sAtha jInA hotA hai to jIvana meM kabhI pazcAttApa rahatA hI nhiiN| usake sAtha jIne meM priyatamA Anandita aura ni:zaMka raha sakatI hai| kalAkAra ko zaMkA kA bhUta kabhI parezAna nahIM krtaa|' 'vAha! tumhArA pAgalapana to samajhadArI se bhI acchA hai| acchA, sakhI! rAjAoM aura rAjakumAroM ke viSaya meM tumhArA abhiprAya kyA hai?' 'rAjakumArIjI! anubhava binA kA abhiprAya kaisA? kintu itanA kaha sakatI hUM ki rAjA aura rAjakumAra apanI priyatamA ke prati kucha caMcala citta vAle hote haiM aura ve adhika-se-adhika patniyAM karane ke roga se grasta rahate haiN|' rAjakumArI vicAramagna ho gii| kucha kSaNoM ke mauna ke pazcAt vikramA ne pUchA- 'rAjakumArIjI! Apa apanI baat.....|' 'sakhI! merI bAta kucha hai hI nhiiN| tumhArI bAta sunane ke pazcAt yaha bhAva avazya banA hai ki sabhI puruSa kharAba nahIM hote, kintu adhikAMza vyakti niSThura, svArthI aura striyoM ko kevala bhogya-vastu mAnane vAle hI hote haiN|' 106 vIra vikramAditya

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'nahIM, nahIM, nahIM-adhikAMza manuSya uttama hote haiN| yaha doSa to zrImaMta logoM meM hI hotA hai|' vikramA ne khaa| rAjakumArI vikramA kI ora sthira dRSTi se dekhatI rhii| vikramA bolI- 'yadi Apake hRdaya meM mere prati premabhAva ho to maiM eka bAta kahanA caahuuNgii|' 'bolo, tuma to merI priya sakhI ho, mArgadarzikA bhI ho| tumhArI bAtoM meM mujhe rasa hai| maiM apane vicAroM ke prati kucha namra banI huuN|' vikramA yaha sunakara bahuta harSita huii| vaha bolI- 'rAjakumArIjI ! pahalI bAta yaha hai ki Apa apane pUrvAgraha ko chor3a deN| puruSa-jAti ke prati dveSa na rakheM kyoMki dveSa bhAva se vartamAna jIvana to bigar3atA hI hai, agalA bhava bhI naSTa ho jAtA hai| anta:karaNa kA dveSabhAva svayaM ke lie bahuta ahitakara hotA hai|' rAjakumArI ne vikramA kA hAtha pakar3ate hue kahA- 'sakhI! maiM tumhArI bAta mAnatI huuN|' 'to Aja se Apa kisI bhI puruSa kA vadha nahIM kareMgI-vyartha hI ghora karmoM kA baMdhana kyoM kiyA jAe? vairabhAva ke karmoM se chuTakArA pAnA atyanta kaThina hotA hai|' vikramA bolii| 'tumhArI bAta saca hai| maiM samajhatI hUM ki mujhe vyartha hI hiMsA kyoM karanI cAhie? kyoM vaira ko bar3hAnA cAhie?' 'aba anta meM eka batA kahUM?' 'haaN|' 'rAjakumArIjI! kisI yogya puruSa ke sAtha Apa vivAha kara leN...|' tatkAla rAjakumArI ne apane donoM hAthoM se mastaka ko dabAte hue kahA'yaha to mere lie azakya hai|' 'kyoM?' 'kisI rAjA yA rAjakumAra ke sAtha vivAha karane se merI vahI dazA hogii|' 'kintu rAjagharAne ko hI kyoM DhUMDhA jAe ?' 'to?' 'kisI uttama kalAkAra ko hI jIvana-sAthI banAeM-yadi aisA ho sakA to ApakA jIvana dhanya ho jAegA aura milana kI jo rasamAdhurI hai, vaha Apako niraMtara milatI rhegii|' rAjakumArI vicAramagna ho gii| vaha kucha nahIM bolii| kucha kSaNoM taka vAtAvaraNa meM gaMbhIra mauna chAyA rhaa| phira vikramA ne kahA'Apa vicAramagna kyoM ho gaI ?' vIra vikramAditya 107

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'aisA kalAkAra mujhe kahAM mila pAegA? maiM eka rAjakanyAhUM aura merI eka maryAdA hai| maiM use kahAM DhUMDhane jAUMgI?' vikramA ke mana meM vicAra AyA ki svayaMvara racA jaae| phira usane socA, isameM to kAlakSepa bahuta ho jaaegaa| vaha bolI- 'rAjakumArIjI! ApakI bAta satya hai| yadi svayaMvara racA jAe to bhI vaise kalAkAra usameM bhAga lene nahIM aate| kintu Apa apane mAtA-pitA ko eka bAta avazya kaha deN|' 'kauna-sI bAta?' ___'Aja se mere mana meM puruSa jAti ke prati koI roSa nahIM hai aura maiM vivAha karane ke lie bhI taiyAra hUM, kintu isameM zarta eka hI hai ki maiM kisI naujavAna saMgItakAra ko hI apanA pati bnaauuNgii|' vikramA ne khaa| rAjakumArI ne tatkAla kahA-'sakhI! Aja tumhArA saMgIta sunane ke lie mere mAtA-pitA yahAM aaeNge| tuma unako sArI bAta batA denaa|' 'acchA, kintu Aja kI isa saMgIta-goSThI meM mahAmaMtrI, Apake cAcA, senApati Adi AeM to unheM bhI Ananda aaegaa|' vikramA ne khaa| do kSaNa soca-vicAra kara rAjakumArI ne apanI sahamati dI aura tatkAla mAdhavI ko bulAkara sArI bAta smjhaaii| rAjakumArI kI bAtoM ko sunakara mAdhavI avAkraha gaI-kintu vaha mastaka jhukAkara calI gii| aura jaba mahArAja zAlivAhana ko yaha saMdeza milA to unheM bahuta Azcarya huaa| puruSa jAti ke prati ghRNA karane vAlI putrI meM yaha acAnaka parivartana kaise A gayA? unhoMne mAdhavI se pUchA- 'mAdhavI! rAjakumArI meM yaha parivartana kaise AyA, tujhe koI kAraNa pratIta nahIM ho rahA hai?' 'kRpAnAtha ! avaMtI kI prasiddha gAyikA devI vikramA vahAM AyI huI haiM, yaha to Apako vidita hI hai| unake saMsarga se rAjakumArIjI meM parivartana AyA ho, aisA merA anumAna hai| 'oha! taba to devI vikramA ne mere para yaha mahAn upakAra kiyA hai', kahakara mahArAja anta:pura meM mahAdevI ko yaha saMvAda sunAne ke lie ge| mahArAjA ko saMdeza dekara mAdhavI rUpamAlA ke bhavana meM gaI aura devI vikramA ke sAtha Ae hue bhaTTamAtrajI tathA anya puruSa vAdyakAroM ko sAtha le Ane kA saMdeza diyaa| rUpamAlA bahuta AzcaryAnvita huI, kintu usakI donoM bahanoM tathA bhaTTamAtrajI ne samajha liyA ki mahArAjA vikramAditya ne rAjakanyA ko apane prabhAva 108 vIra vikramAditya

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meM liyA hai; anyathA itanA parivartana azakya hai| agnivaitAla apanI mastI meM thaa| use kevala rAtri meM hI apanA karizmA dikhAnA thA / sAMjha huii| devI vikramA aura rAjakanyA - donoM ne kAryakrama kI pUrva rUparekhA taiyAra kI aura usI ke anusAra sAja-sajjA kara khaNDa ko taiyAra kiyA / AcAryA maMjarI devI aura vAdyamaMDalI kI striyAM A giiN| rAjakumArI ne AcAryA kA bhAvabhInA svAgata kiyA / AcAryA ne rAjakumArI ko hRdaya se lagAyA / itane meM hI rUpamAlA, kAmakalA, madanamAlA tathA bhaTTamAtra Adi bhI pahuMca ge| unake sAtha cAra-pAMca vAdyakAra bhI A ge| puruSoM ke Agamana ko dekhakara AcAryA maMjarI devI ko bhI Azcarya huA / tatpazcAt mahArAjA zAlivAhana, mahAdevI vijayArAnI, mahArAjakumAra jitavAhana, narendradeva, nagaraseTha Adi ke ratha Ane lage / rAjakumArI ne sabakA svAgata kiyaa| kintu mAtA kA hRdaya yaha jAnane ke lie Atura thA ki putrI meM vaha parivartana kaise ghaTita huaa| Atura mana ko zAnta kaise kiyA jAe ? Ane vAle puruSoM kA bhI Azcarya zAnta nahIM ho rahA thaa| jisa rAjakumArI ke AvAsa meM koI bhI puruSa praveza nahIM kara sakatA aura yadi bhUlakara praveza kara jAtA to vaha jIvita raha nahIM sakatA; usake AvAsa meM Aja eka nahIM, aneka puruSa A rahe haiN| yaha camatkAra kaise huA ? 22. vivAha kI yojanA rAjakanyA ke bhavana meM isa prakAra puruSoM kA Agamana sabake mana meM Azcarya paidA kara rahA thA / rAjakumArI apanI mAtA ke pAsa baiThI thii| mAtA ke hRdaya meM aneka prazna ubhara rahe the / parantu use saMkoca ho rahA thA ki itane samUha meM kanyA ko kaise pUche ki usameM yaha parivartana ghaTita kaise huA ? tInoM bahaneM eka ora baiThI thiiN| rAjakumArI kI vAdyamaMDalI yathAsthAna niyojita ho gii| rUpamAlA ke vAdyakAra bhI baiTha gae the| agnivaitAla bhI puruSa veza meM baiTha gayA thaa| usane mana meM bhI rAjakumArI dvArA kiye jAne vAle puruSa-satkAra se Azcarya umar3a rahA thA / usane vikramArUpI avaMtInAtha ko gupta rUpa meM pUchane kA vicAra kiyA, kintu abhI usake lie avasara nahIM thA / vIra vikramAditya 106

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vikramA rAjakanyA ke pAsa meM hI baiThI thI-saMgIta ke kAryakrama se pUrva vaha isa parivartana kI bAta kahanA cAhatI thii| rAjakumArI ne apane pIche baiThI huI AcAryA maMjarI devI kI ora dekhakara kahA-'AcAryAjI! Apa devI vikramA kA paricaya deN|' ___'jI!' kahakara maMjarI devI uThI aura sabakA abhivAdana kara bolI'rAjarAjezvara zrImAn pratiSThAnapurAdhipati! pUjanIyA zrI mahAdevIjI ! aura sabhI mahAnubhAvo! Aja devI vikramA divya saMgIta prastuta kreNgii| inakA paricaya dene se pUrva maiM apane mana kA Azcarya abhivyakta karanA cAhatI huuN| maiM varSoM se rAjakumArIjI ko saMgIta kA prazikSaNa de rahI huuN| kintu mujhe aise eka bhI dina kI smRti nahIM hai, jisa dina rAjakumArIjI ke pitAzrI ke atirikta koI puruSa isa AvAsa meM AyA ho| Aja yahAM puruSa varga ko dekhakara tathA rAjakanyA ke vadana para prasannatA kA anubhava kara mujhe yaha Azcarya ho rahA hai ki yaha parivartana ghaTita kaise huA? maiM isI Azcarya ke sAtha devI vikramA kA paricaya de rahI huuN| devI vikramA avaMtI nagarI kI suprasiddha gAyikA haiN| inakI avasthA choTI hai, kintu rAga kI jo sAdhanA inhoMne kI hai, vaha bar3e-bar3e saMgIta-sAdhakoM ko bhI Azcarya meM DAlane vAlI hai| abhI tIna dina pUrva devI vikramA ne 'paTayoga' nAmaka rAga gAyA thaa| usake prabhAva se mRdaMga svayaM tAla de rahA thaa| aisI siddhi maiMne pahalI bAra dekhI thii| majhe vizvAsa hai ki devI vikramA Aja bhI hameM apanI siddhi ke darzana kraaeNgii|' itanA kahakara AcAryA baiTha giiN| sukumArI ke pAsa baiThI vikramA tatkAla uThI aura sabakA abhivAdana kara bolI-'AcAryA maMjarIdevI ne merA jo paricaya diyA, usa yogya maiM nahIM huuN| maiM eka sAmAnya gAyikA huuN| saMgIta ke prati merA saghana anurAga hai| isa anurAga ke kAraNa hI maiMne aneka divya rAgoM kI sAdhanA kI hai| Aja maiM apane mana kI eka bAta abhivyakta karanA cAhatI huuN| maiM jaba rAjakumArI ke paricaya meM AyI taba mujhe spaSTa pratIta huA ki unake mana meM puruSa-jAti ke prati ghRNA hai, tiraskAra kA bhAva hai| unakA prema milaa| unhoMne mujhe sakhI mAnA aura apane jIvana kI kahAnI mujhe sunaaii| maiMne yatkiMcit prayatna kiyaa| unake mana kA dveSa dhula gayA aura Aja ye vivAha karane ke lie sahamata huI haiN| ye kisI rAjA yA rAjakumAra se vivAha karane meM katarAtI haiM, kintu ye kisI yogya kalAkAra ko apanA jIvanasAthI banAne ke lie taiyAra haiN|' 'mahArAjA, mahArAnI tathA anya sabhI loga vikramA kI ora dekhane lage aura usake zabdoM ko pIne lge| mahAbalAdhikRta narendradeva vikramA ke rUpa meM mugdha hokara use prApta karane kA upAya socane meM kho ge| do kSaNa rukakara vikramA ne kahA- 'maiM socatI haiM ki Apa 110 vIra vikramAditya

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sabakA Azcarya aba zAnta ho gayA hogaa| aba maiM Apake samakSa megharAga kI ArAdhanA kruuNgii| isa rAga ke prabhAva se isa grISmaRtu meM varSA hogI, isameM tanika bhI saMdeha nahIM hai|' itanA kahakara vikramA baiTha gaI aura rAjakanyA kI ora dekhakara bolI'mere se koI avinaya to nahIM huA?' - uttara meM rAjakumArI ke gulAbI netra pulakita ho ge| aura saMgItasabhA kA kAryakrama prArambha huaa| sabase pahale donoM vAdyamaMDaliyoM ne devI sarasvatI kI prArthanA prastuta kii| __ kAmalatA aura madanamAlA-donoM bahanoM ne gIta sahita nRtya prArambha kiyaa| sabhI darzakoM kA mana harSa se labAlaba bhara gyaa| vikramArUpI vikramAditya ne apane mitra agnivaitAla kI ora arthabharI dRSTi se dekhaa| agnivaitAla ne bhI AMkha ke saMketa se uttara de diyaa| vikramA apane Asana se uThI aura kakSa ke madhya meM nirdhArita sthAna para Akara, sabako namana kara baiTha gii| usane vAdyamaMDalI se kahA- 'meghmlhaar....|' meghamalhAra kI svara-lahariyAM vAtAvaraNa meM thirakane lgiiN| vikramA ne gaMbhIra aura madhura svara se meghamalhAra rAga kI ArAdhanA prArambha kii| kaNTha meM pIr3A aura kskthii| rAga utkaTa thA-gIta meM dharatI apane priyatama megha se milane kI tar3apa dikhA rahI thii| do ghaTikA ke pazcAt sabhI ne dekhA ki bhavana ke bAhara AkAza meM bijalI camaka rahI hai| bAdala garaja rahe haiN| rimajhima-rimajhima varSA ho rahI hai| aura jaise-jaise meghamalhAra rAga utkaTa hone lagA, vaise-vaise meghamAlA kA tANDava vikarAla hotA gayA aura sabhI ko yaha anubhava hone lagA ki bAhara saghana varSA ho rahI hai| sukumArI to vikramA kI zakti se pahale hI paricita thii| yaha dUsarA mahAn camatkAra dekhakara usakA mana atyadhika ullasita ho uThA aura usane socA-yadi yaha gAyikA vikramA puruSa hotI to Aja hI isako varamAlA pahanAkara apane priyatama ke rUpa meM svIkAra kara letI, para...! vikramA apane gIta ke dvArA viraha kI vedanA ko uddIpta kara nArI-hRdaya meM priyatama kI milana-tRSNA ko aura adhika ugra kara cukI thii| vIra vikramAditya 111

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sabhI darzaka samaya aura paristhiti kA bhAna bhUlakara kevala gAyikA meM hI tanmaya ho cuke the| cAra ghaTikA paryanta meghamalhAra rAga kI ArAdhanA kara vikramA ne virAma liyaa| akAla meM hone vAlI varSA ke camatkAra se saba abhibhUta the| agnivaitAla ne apanI mAyA smettii| varSA zAnta ho gii| rAjakanyA ne apane gale kI muktAmAlA vikramA ke gale meM pahanA dii| sabhI darzakoM ne vikramA kI ArAdhanA ko sarAhA aura isa dRzya ko sAkSAt kara apane jIvana ko dhanya maanaa| mahArAjA ne ratnahAra aura mahArAnI ne vajra kI aMgUThI devI vikramA ko arpita kii| mahArAjA aura mahArAnI ne apanI priya putrI sukumArI ko chAtI se lagAte hue kahA 'beTI! Aja hamArI mahAn cintA dUra ho gii| aba tU apane saMkalpa para dRr3ha rhnaa|' rAjakanyA ne mAtA-pitA kA caraNa-sparza kiyaa| mAtA bolI-'beTI! aba tujhe isa ekAtavAsa meM kyoM rahanA cAhie?' 'hAM, hAM!....maiM kisI zubha dina rAjabhavana meM A jaauuNgii|' sabako sasammAna prasthita kara rAjakumArI aura vikramA-donoM zayanakakSa kI ora giiN| rAtri kA tIsarA prahara bIta cukA thaa| rAjakanyA ne apane zayanakakSa meM jAtejAte kahA 'priya sakhI! Aja jaba maiMne tumhAre kaNThoM meM muktamAlA pahanAI, taba mere mana meM kyA-kyA vicAra uTha rahe the, ve batAU~ ?' vikramA ne praznabharI dRSTi se rAjakanyA kI ora dekhaa| rAjakumArI bolI-'usa samaya mere mana meM AyA ki yadi tuma koI kalAkAra puruSa hote to Aja avazya hI tumhAre gale meM maiM varamAlA DAla detii| tumheM apane priyatama ke rUpa meM svIkAra kara letii|' "aura yadi maiM koI rAjA yA rAjakumAra hotA to....?' vikramA ne haMsate hue khaa| 'taba to mere bhavana kI rakSikA se tumhArA sira dhar3a se alaga karA detii|' sukumArI ne haMsate-haMsate uttara diyaa| 112 vIra vikramAditya

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vikramA haMsa pdd'ii| usane rAjakumArI ke kaMdhoM para hAtha rakhakara kahA'rAjakumArI jI ! aba aisI dveSa bhAvanA zobhA nahIM detii|' 'yaha dveSa nahIM - tumhArI bAta sunane ke pazcAt maiMne mana-hI-mana yaha nirNaya liyA hai ki suyogya kalAkAra ko hI priyatama ke rUpa meM svIkAra karanA hai| kintu eka prazna bAra-bAra mere mana meM vyathA paidA kara rahA hai ki aisA kalAkAra kahAM se mile ?' 'rAjakumArIjI! Apake prazna kA uttara dene se pUrva maiM eka batA detI huuN|' 'kyA ?' 'pratyeka rAjA yA rAjakumAra duSTa nahIM hotaa|' - 'kucha bhI ho ! yadi mujhe suyogya kalAkAra nahIM milA to jIvana bhara maiM kuMArI raha jAUMgI, para kisI rAjA yA rAjakumAra se vivAha nahIM kruuNgii|' vikramA ne rAjakumArI ke hAthoM ko dabAte hue kahA- 'bhAgya kA bala acintya hotA hai - Apa jaisA kalAkAra cAhatI haiM, vaisA Apako avazya milegA / ' 'tuma mujhe AzvAsana de rahI ho - maiM eka rAjakanyA hUM, aise kalAkAra kI Toha meM kahAM bhaTakatI phirUMgI ?' 'kalAkAra Apako khojate khojate svayaM aaegaa| mahArAja ke samakSa eka yojanA prastuta kreN|' 'kaisI yojanA ?' 'mahArAja svayaM yaha prasArita kareM ki kSatriya athavA brAhmaNa koI bhI kalAkAra rAjasabhA meM rAga - maMjarI athavA mAlakoza rAga kI ArAdhanA kara usakA prabhAva pradarzita karegA, vaha rAjakanyA kA varaNa kara skegaa|' 'tumheM hI yaha yojanA mahArAja ko batAnI hogI / ' 'rAjakumArIjI ! Apa nizciMta rheN| ApakA yaha prazna merA prazna bana cukA hai / merA yahAM adhika rukanA saMbhava nahIM hai| phira bhI maiM Apake lie kucha dina yahIM rukUMgI aura mahArAja ko sArI yojanA samajhAUMgI / ' 'nahIM, sakhI! aba tuma yahAM se nahIM jA sakogI / ' 'rAjakumArIjI ! Apake vivAha ke avasara para maiM avazya hI upasthita ho jaauuNgii| kintu merI mAM ke lie mujhe avazya jAnA hogaa|' rAjakumArI ne vikramA ke donoM hAtha pakar3a liye / vikramA mauna rahI / dUsare dina vikramA ne mahArAja aura mahArAnI ko rAjakanyA ke vivAha kI yojanA smjhaaii| mahArAja ne kahA- 'devI vikramA ! yojanA sundara hai, para rAgamaMjarI kA gAyaka kalAkAra dasa varSoM meM bhI na milA to.... ?' vIra vikramAditya 113

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vikramA bolI- 'kRpAnAtha! maiMne apane pravAsa meM aise eka yuvaka kalAkAra ko dekhA thA-usake sAtha bAtacIta karane para mujhe pratIta huA ki vaha isI dizA kI ora Ane vAlA thaa| saMbhava hai ki rAjasabhA meM vivAha kI yojanA kA ailAna hone para vaha kalAkAra ekAdha saptAha meM A jaae|' yojanA svIkRta ho gii| mahArAja ne maMtriyoM ke samakSa isa yojanA ko prastuta kiyA aura dUsare dina hI rAjasabhA meM rAjakanyA kI bhAvanA kI ghoSaNA ho gyii| rAjakumArI bhI apane ekAntavAsa ko tyAgakara mAtA-pitA ke sAtha rAjabhavana meM rahane lgii| vikramA bhI eka zarta para rUpamAlA ke bhavana para nivAsa karane aayii| vaha zarta yaha thI ki vaha pratidina rAtri meM rAjakumArI ke pAsa rhegii| 23. prasthAna rAjakanyA sukumArI kisI kalAkAra ke sAtha vivAha karane ke lie taiyAra ho gaI hai aura usake mana meM ghulane vAlA puruSa-dveSa dhula gayA hai-yaha bAta do-cAra dinoM meM Asa-pAsa ke sabhI pradezoM meM phaila gyii| ___ aura vahI kalAkAra rAjakanyA ko pA sakegA jo prabhAvazAlI rAga gA sakegA-isa bAta se sabhI pradezoM meM kutUhala umar3a pdd'aa| vikramA ne bhI apane mitra aura maMtrI ke sAtha carcA kara lI thii| isa carcA meM avaMtI kI nartakiyoM ne bhI bhAga liyA thaa| isa prazna para pUrA vicAra kara yaha nirNaya liyA gayA ki saptAha meM mahAmaMtrI aura donoM nartakiyAM avaMtI pahuMca jAeM aura vikramAditya apanA strI-rUpa kA parityAga kara kalAkAra kA veza dhAraNa kara rAjasabhA meM kisI rAga kI ArAdhanA kareM aura agnivaitAla ke sahayoga se camatkAra dikhAkara rAjakanyA kA varaNa kreN| yaha yojanA sabako pasaMda A gaI thii| pAMca dina bIta jAne para vikramA ne rAjakumArI ke samakSa prasthAna kI icchA vyakta kii| sukumArI bolI- 'sakhI! tumhAre binA merA mana yahAM nahIM lgegaa| tumhAre paricaya se mere mana kA aMdhakAra dUra huA hai| tumhAre sahayoga se merA jIvana bhI dhanya bana jaaegaa|' 'rAjakumArIjI! merI mAtuzrI kA prazna mere lie itanA mahAn hai ki maiM usakI upekSA nahIM kara sakatI aura pravAsa bhI bahuta laMbA hai-vahAM pahuMcane meM mujhe eka mahInA laga jaaegaa|' 114 vIra vikramAditya

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rAjakumArI ne vikramA kA hAtha pakar3akara kahA- 'sakhI! tuma apanI yojanA kA pariNAma to dekhakara jaanaa|' 'rAjakumArIjI! yaha yojanA aisI hai ki isakI pariNati kaba kaise ho, kalpanA nahIM kI jA sktii| koI kalAkAra cAra dina meM bhI mila sakatA hai aura cAra mahInoM meM bhI nahIM mila paataa| isa anizcita sthiti meM maiM rukU, yaha ucita nahIM hai|' rAjakumArI vicAramagna ho gii| kucha kSaNoM bAda vaha bolI-'tuma kucha vacana mAMga rahI thI na?' 'Apa deMgI?' 'tumheM na de sakU, aisI kyA bAta hai?' 'aba Apa puruSa jAti ke prati dveSa mata rakhanA aura jaba ApakA vivAha ho taba mujhe jJAta karavAnA aura Apa eka bAra avaMtI avazya pdhaarnaa|' 'are! tumane to kucha bhI nahIM mAMgA-yaha to mere hita kI hI bAta khii|' vikramA haMsatI huI bolI- 'sakhI ko binA kucha mAMge hI bahuta kucha mila jAtA hai|' dUsare dina vikramA ne prasthAna karane kI bAta mahArAja aura mahArAnI ko bhI batA dii| sabhI ne vahAM rukane kA Agraha kiyA, para vikramA apane nirNaya para aTala rhii| mahArAjA ne vikramA kI bhAvanA ko samajha lI aura rAjya kI ora se use savA lAkha svarNamudrAeM aura vibhinna AbhUSaNa bheMTa-svarUpa die| vikramA mahArAjA se bheMTa-svarUpa prApta svarNamudrAoM aura alaMkAroM ko lekara rUpamAlA ke bhavana meM aayii| madana, kAma tathA rUpamAlA ko svarNamudrAeM aura alaMkAra de die| mahAmaMtrI bhaTTamAtra ko pacIsa hajAra mudrAeM bheMTa kIM aura pratiSThAnapura ke aneka sArvajanika sthaloM ke lie bhI dhana vitarita kiyaa| tIna dina aura bIta ge| - pAMcoM yAtrI apane-apane azvoM para ArUr3ha hokara avaMtI kI ora cala pdd'e| prasthAna ke samaya nagarI se do kosa dUra taka rAjakanyA, rUpamAlA aura rAjyAdhikArI sAtha meM aae| aura rAjakanyA ke gulAbI nayana sajala ho ge| dasa kosa kI dUrI taya kara pAMcoM yAtriyoM ne eka vana-pradeza meM vizrAma kiyaa| agnivaitAla bolA- 'mahArAja! aba to Apa apanA yaha strI-veza dUra kreN| vikrama ne muskarAte hue kahA-'kyoM mitra ! merA apaharaNa karane kI bAta to nahIM soca rahe ho?' vIra vikramAditya 115

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agnivaitAla ne haMsate hue kahA- 'merI jAti Apase bhinna hai, anyathA mujhe mahAmaMtrI kA bhI bhaya laga rahA hai|' sabhI haMsa pdd'e| vikrama ne devakIrti dvArA pradatta rUpa-parivartana guTikA kA prayoga kiyaa| ve apane mUla puruSa rUpa meM A ge| unhoMne puruSa kA veza dhAraNa kiyaa| usake pazcAt pAMcoM eka madhyama gAMva kI sImA meM Ae aura choTe-se upavana meM Thahara ge| bhojana Adi kI vyavasthA karane ke lie bhaTTamAtra aura agnivaitAla donoM gAMva meM ge| gAMva meM eka brAhmaNa ke ghara para rasoI taiyAra karavAI aura agnivaitAla ke lie bahuta sArI miThAI bnvaaii| donoM vApasa usI upavana meM A ge| pAMcoM gAMva meM ge| bhojana Adi se nivRtta hokara sabhI sAtha meM baiThakara carcA karane lge| ghor3oM ke lie cArA-pAnI kA prabandha bhI kara diyaa| sAmAnya carcA karate-karate bhaTTamAtra ne kahA- 'mahArAja! Apa akele yahAM raheM, yaha ucita nahIM lagatA-Apa bhI hamAre sAtha hI avaMtI cleN|' 'sAtha calane meM mujhe koI bAdhA nahIM hai kintu avaMtI se prasthAna karane se pUrva maiMne apanI priyatamA ko kahA thA ki maiM rAjakanyA sukumArI para vijaya prApta karake hI lauttuuNgaa|' madanamAlA ne muskarAte hue kahA-'kRpAnAtha! Apane vijaya prApta kara lI hai| rAjakanyA ke mana se Apane puruSa-dveSa ko dUra kara diyA hai|' 'bahana! jaba taka usakA pANigrahaNa nahIM ho jAtA, taba taka kArya adhUrA hI ginA jaaegaa|' tatkAla mahAmaMtrI bolA-'to phira hama saba veza badalakara pratiSThAnapura meM lauTa jAeM aura nagarI kI kisI pAnthazAlA meM tthhreN| Apa kalAkAra ke rUpa meM kArya siddha kara rAjakanyA ke sAtha vivAha kareM-phira hama saba sAtha hI cleNge|' vikramAditya ne mahAmaMtrI kA hAtha pakar3akara kahA- 'jahAM lagAva atyadhika hotA hai, vahAM baddhi becArI bana jAtI hai| mitra! rAjakanyA ke hRdaya meM puruSoM ke prati aba dveSa nahIM rahA, yaha saca hai| para vaha kisI rAjA yA rAjakumAra ke sAtha vivAha karanA nahIM caahtii| vaha yaha mAnatI hai ki rAjA ke anta:pura meM mAna-sammAna milatA hai, para pati kA sukha use pUrA prApta nahIM hotaa| yadi yaha bAta usake mana meM nahIM hotI to maiM pahale hI apanA paricaya dekara usase vivAha kara letA aura mujhe kalAkAra kI bAta nahIM socanI pdd'tii|' ___ kAmakalA bolI-'kRpAnAtha! Apa kauna haiM, yaha bAta to rAjakanyA jAna hI legI !' 116 vIra vikramAditya

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'hAM, isIlie vivAha karane ke pazcAt bhI maiM yahAM do-cAra mahIne rukanA cAhatA hUM aura usake mana ko pUrA par3ha lene ke pazcAt hI maiM apanA asalI paricaya duuNgaa|' vikrama ne khaa| ___ 'oha mahArAja! yaha to asamaya meM eka nayA prazna khar3A ho gyaa|' bhaTTamAtra ne khaa| 'isIlie maiM sabako vidA kara rahA huuN|' vikrama bole| 'kintu ApakI yaha dIrghakAlIna anupasthiti rAja-vyavasthA ke lie bAdhaka hogI!' bIca hI meM vikrama ne kahA- 'Apa haiM, anya maMtrI bhI haiN| maiM mana-hI-mana yaha nizcaya kara liyA hai ki maiM yahAM tIna mahIne se adhika nahIM rukuNgaa| hama yadi avaMtI se yahAM paidala Ate to Aja taka yahAM nahIM pahuMca paate|' 'yaha to ThIka hai!' 'aura merA mahAn mitra agnivaitAla Apa sabako Aja hI avaMtI kI sImA meM pahuMcA degaa| sUryodaya se pUrva to yaha mere pAsa A hI jaaegaa| vikrama ne khaa| tatkAla agnivaitAla bolA- 'mahArAja! Apa mahAdevI ko kucha saMdeza dene vAle the....!' 'hAM, tujhe yahAM kA kuzalakSema kahanA hai aura abhI tIna mAha lageMge, aisA mahAdevI ko batAnA hai|' 'to phira maiM sUryodaya se pUrva yahAM kaise pahuMca sakU~gA?' 'ThIka hai, bhale hI vilamba ho| maiM isI gAMva meM rahUMgA-tujhe ina pAMcoM azvoM ko sAtha le jAnA hai|' . 'pAMcoM? phira Apa kyA kareMge?' 'hama yahAM se do azva dUsare le leNge| ina azvoM ko lekara yadi hama lauTeMge to avazya pahacAne jaaeNge|' 'to kyA maiM avaMtI se do dUsare azva bheja dUM?' bhaTTamAtra ne puuchaa| 'nahIM, vahAM se kucha bhI nahIM bhejanA hai- mere pAsa svarNamudrAeM ucita mAtrA meM haiN| uttama vINA aura mRdaMga Adi sAre sAdhana yahIM upalabdha ho jaaeNge|' vikrama ne khaa| isa prakAra carcA karate-karate rAtri kA dUsarA prahara bIta gyaa| vikrama ne agnivaitAla se bhojana karane kA Agraha kiyaa| agnivaitAla miThAiyoM se bhare karaMDaka lekara eka vRkSa ke pAsa gayA aura kucha hI kSaNoM meM miThAI caTa kara A gyaa| vIra vikramAditya 117

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sabhI apane-apane sthAna para gaddI bichAkara so ge| agnivaitAla ne apanI icchAzakti ke prabhAva se vikrama ke atirikta sabako nidrAdhIna kara diyA / phira donoM mitra bAta karane lage / pazcima rAtri ke aMtima prahara meM agnivaitAla ne pAMcoM azvoM, donoM nartakiyoM aura mahAmaMtrI ko avaMtI nagarI ke parisara meM sthita eka upavana meM pahuMcA diyaa| yahAM vikramAditya ke vastra, svarNamudrAoM se bharA thailA aura kucha sAdhana mAtra rhe| agnivaitAla kI zakti ke prabhAva se jaba saba adRzya ho gae, taba vikramAditya sukumArI kI smRti karate hue nidrAdhIna ho ge| prAta:kAla huaa| pakSI cahacahAne lge| pUrva gagana meM uSA kI lAlimA bicha gaI / vikramAditya jAgRta hue| bhagavAn kA smaraNa kara apanI gaddI tathA or3hane ke vastra ko sameTakara eka vRkSa kI zAkhA para rakha diyaa| phira eka hajAra svarNamudrAeM tathA pahanane ke kapar3e bagala meM dabAkara ve upavana ke pAsa bahatI choTI saritA kI ora gae / unhoMne dekhA ki kucheka pazu khetoM se ghara kI ora A rahe haiM aura kucha kRSaka apane-apane khetoM kI ora jA rahe haiN| vikramAditya saritA ke upakaNTha meM aae| zauca, daMtadhAvana, snAna Adi prAta:kRtyoM se nivRtta hokara dhotI aura uttarIya ko dhokara vahIM sukhA diyaa| vikramAditya mAtra kSatriya hI nahIM the, mAtra naujavAna rAjA hI nahIM the, parantu ve samagra mAlavadeza ke svAmI the- unake eka izAre para hajAroM dAsa-dAsI sevA ke lie tatpara ho jAte, kintu ve pratyeka paristhiti ke anusAra Dhalane vAle mahApuruSa the| eka-do ghaTikA ke bAda vastra sUkha ge| unheM eka poTalI meM bAMdhakara ve gAMva kI ora cala par3e / gAMva vahAM se AdhA kosa dUra thA - gAMva kA parisara sundara aura ramaNIya thaa| logoM ke ceharoM para Ananda aura saMtoSa kA apUrva saMgama dRSTigocara hotA thA / yaha gAMva mahArAjA zAlivAhana ke rAjya kA sImAvartI thA - gAMva kA bAjAra bahuta bar3A nahIM thA, phira bhI vaha sundara thaa| halavAiyoM kI dUkAneM khula cukI thiiN| vikramAditya ne eka halavAI se miThAI khriidii| phira eka choTI-sI pAMthazAlA meM jAkara kalevA kiyA, jalapAna kara nivRtta ho ge| pAMthazAlA kA munIma eka vRddha thA / vikramAditya ne pUchA- 'kyoM, yahAM ghor3e mola mila sakate haiM ?' 118 vIra vikramAditya

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usane kahA- 'avazya hI mila jaaeNge| eka svarNamudrA kI kImata se zreSTha azva kharIdA jA sakatA hai| Apa kahAM ke nivAsI haiM ?' 'mAlavadeza kA / 'Apa idhara se kahAM jAnA cAhate haiM ?' 'pratiSThAnapura kI ora / ' 'kyA Apa akele hI haiM ?' 'nahIM, merA eka sAthI bhI hai| vaha abhI bAhara gayA hai| kucha hI samaya meM A jaaegaa|' vikramAditya ne kahA / vRddha munIma kucha Age pUche, itane meM hI agnivaitAla pAMthazAlA meM A pahuMcA usane apanA sArA rUpa hI badala liyA thA / yadi vaha vikrama ko praNAma nahIM karatA T to vikrama bhI use pahacAna nahIM paate| donoM mitra pAMthazAlA ke eka kamare meM gae / agnivaitAla ne mahAdevI ke kuzala- samAcAra kahe tathA avaMtI nagarI aura rAjya-vyavasthA kI sArI bAta batAI / phira donoM mitra apanA-apanA sAmAna vahIM pAMthazAlA meM rakhakara gAMva kI ora cala pdd'e| 24. varamAlA vikramAditya aura agnivaitAla ne do azva tathA kalAkAra ke lie upayukta vastra kharIde aura do dina usa choTe se gAMva meM ruke| tIsare dina ve donoM dakSiNa bhArata ke kucheka darzanIya sthaloM ko dekhane ke lie cala par3e, kyoMki ve dasa dina bAda pratiSThAnapura pahuMcanA cAhate the / donoM mitra ghUmate-ghUmate vijayapaTTana aae| vahAM se unhoMne mahArghavINA aura eka mRdaMga khriidaa| phira dasa dina idhara-udhara ghUma-phirakara ve pratiSThAnapura pahuMce aura vahAM kI zreSTha pAMthazAlA meM jA tthhre| dasa-bAraha dinoM ke isa pravAsa meM vikramAditya ko yaha jJAta ho gayA ki rAjakanyA ke vivAha kI zarta kI carcA cAroM ora phaila gaI hai aura do-cAra kalAkAra pratiSThAnapura pahuMca bhI gae haiN| rAjakumArI ke sAtha vivAha karane kI tIvra icchA se mAtra eka hI kalAkAra vijapaTTana se AyA thaa| zeSa kutUhalavaza Ae the / vijayapaTTana se Ane vAle kalAkAra kA nAma thA jayakesarI aura vaha pacIsa varSa kA yuvaka thA / vaha jAti se kSatriya aura zreSTha gAyaka thaa| usane mAlakoza kI pUrva sAdhanA kI thI aura pUre dakSiNa bhArata meM mAlakoza rAga ko prastuta karane meM vIra vikramAditya 116

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vaha sarvazreSTha mAnA jAtA thaa| mAlakoza rAga kA prabhAva yaha hai ki zrotA mugdha ho jAte haiM, staMbhita ho jAte haiM aura jayakesarI jaba yaha rAga gAtA taba yaha prabhAva AMkhoM ke sAmane nAcane laga jaataa| vikramAditya ko jaba yaha jJAta huA taba unhoMne apane mitra agnivaitAla se kahA-'mitra! aba hameM bhI mahArAjA ke samakSa bAta karanI caahie|' 'hAM, kintu isase pUrva hameM jayakesarI ke puruSArtha ko jAna lenA caahie| maiMne sunA hai ki Aja ve rAjasabhA meM mAlakoza kI ArAdhanA kreNge| hameM bhI rAta meM usakA mukAbalA karanA hai|' agnivaitAla bolaa| 'to phira Aja mahArAjA ko sUcanA deM?' vikrama ne khaa| 'hAM, mukAbalA ho to bar3A Ananda AegA-kintu hameM camatkAra kaunasA karanA hai?' 'mitra! hama koI mahAn gAyaka nahIM haiN| rAjakanyA kI bhAvanA rAgamaMjarI sunane kI hai| isalie yahI ucita rhegaa|' 'rUpamAlA ke vahAM jaise pAnI uchAlA thA, vahI na?' 'hAM!' 'taba to hamArI jIta sunizcita hI hai| kintu paricaya kisa nAma se diyA jAe?' agnivaitAla ne khaa| vikrama ne haMsakara kahA- 'jayakesarI kI pratidvaMdvitA meM vijayakesarI nAma ThIka rhegaa|' 'isase to vijayasiMha nAma anukUla rhegaa|' 'pAMthazAlA meM kyA nAma likhAyA hai ?' 'ApakA nAma vijayasiMha aura merA nAma siMhamitra likhAyA hai|' agnivaitAla ne khaa| vikramAditya ne agnivaitAla kA hAtha pakar3akara kahA- 'tuma to bahuta catura ho gae ho!' 'yaha ApakI maitrI kA pratiphala hai|' vaitAla bolaa| saMdhyA ke samaya vikramAditya aura agnivaitAla rAjabhavana meM gae aura mahArAjA se milakara apanA paricaya eka kSatriya gAyaka ke rUpa meM diyaa| * mahArAjA ne Ananda vyakta kiyA aura pAMthazAlA se donoM kA sAmAna lAne ke lie eka ratha bheja diyaa| rAjya ke atithigRha ke eka khaNDa meM donoM mitra Thahara ge| dUsare khaNDa meM suprasiddha gAyaka jayakesarI apane sAjabAja ke sAtha ThaharA huA thaa| 120 vIra vikramAditya

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rAta AnandapUrvaka bIta gii| dUsare dina donoM mitra rUpamAlA ke bhavana meM ge| rUpamAlA ne donoM kA satkAra kara pUchA- 'kyA AjJA hai ?' vikramAditya ne kahA- 'devI! kucha dinoM pUrva avaMtI kI prakhyAta gAyikA vikramA Apake yahAM atithi rUpa meM ThaharI thI ?' 'hAM / ' 've mujhe mArga meM milI thIM- maiM bhI eka gAyaka hUM aura rAjakanyA ke sAtha vivAha karane kI bhAvanA se yahAM AyA huuN| eka bAta maiMne devI vikramA ko kahI thI, taba unhoMne Apase milane kI sUcanA dI thii|' 'ApakA zubha nAma ?' 'vijayasiMha / ' 'nAma acchA hai - dakSiNa bhArata ke prasiddha gAyaka jayakesarI yahAM Ae hue haiN|' 'hAM, devI ! ve Aja rAta ko mAlakoza prastuta kareMge aura maiM rAgamaMjarI kI ArAdhanA kruuNgaa|' rUpamAlA ne cauMkakara kahA - 'rAgamaMjarI..... ?' 'hAM, kintu mere pAsa sAja- sAmagrI nahIM hai| maiMne apanI paristhiti devI vikramA ke sAmane rakhI, taba unhoMne kahA ki devI rUpamAlA sArI vyavasthA kara deNgii| isIlie maiM Apake pAsa AyA huuN|' 'Apako jo sAdhana cAhie, ve saba upalabdha ho jaaeNge|' rUpamAlA ne kahA / 'devI ! mujhe kevala ApakI vAdyamaMDalI cAhie, aura kucha nahIM / ' vijayasiMha ne kahA / 'maiM isakI vyavasthA kara duuNgii|' donoM mitra apane AvAsasthala para A ge| rAtri kA prathama prahara pUrA ho, usase pUrva hI rAjabhavana kA raMgamaMDapa maMtriyoM, kalAkAroM, zreSThiyoM, subhaToM tathA anyAnya vyaktiyoM se khacAkhaca bhara gayA / rUpamAlA, AcAryA maMjarI devI tathA nagara kI pAMca-sAta zreSTha gAyikAeM bhI A gaI thIM / mahArAjA zAlivAhana ne apane parivAra ke sAtha raMgamaMDapa meM praveza kiyaa| logoM ne jaya-jayakAra se rAjaparivAra kA svAgata kiyaa| rAjakumArI sukumArI bhI mAtA-pitA ke sAtha hI thI / usake pIche-pIche eka dAsI phUlamAlA kA eka svarNathAla liye cala rahI thii| mahArAjA, mahAdevI, rAjakumArI, yuvarAja Adi sabhI apane-apane nirdhArita sthAna para baiTha ge| vIra vikramAditya 121

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mahArAjA kA saMketa pAkara mahAmaMtrI ne prasiddha gAyaka jayakesarI aura vijayasiMha kA paricaya upasthita logoM ko diyA / aMta meM unhoMne kahA'rAjakumArIjI ne kisI prabhAvazAlI kalAkAra ko patirUpa meM svIkAra karane kA nizcaya kiyA hai / aba maiM dakSiNa bhArata ke mahAn gAyaka Arya jayakesarI se prArthanA karatA hUM ki ve pahale apanI sAdhanA kA hameM rasAsvAdana kraaeN|' logoM ne harSadhvani kI / mahAgAyaka jayakesarI apane sthAna para khar3e hue aura sabako abhivAdana kara apanI vAdyamaMDalI ko mAlakoza svaralaharI prasRta karane kA saMketa kiyA / suSiravAdya, carmavAdya, tAravAdya, kAMsyavAdya aura kASThavAdya baja uThe / mAlakoza kI svaralahariyAM AkAza meM thirakane lgiiN| ardhaghaTikA ke pazcAt mahAn gAyaka mAlakoza kI zrutiyAM pravAhita karane lgaa| I sabhI darzaka maMtramugdha hokara ekaTaka gAyaka jayakesarI ko dekha rahe the| sabhI usakI ArAdhanA para Azcaryacakita the / vikramAditya bhI isa gAyaka ke prabhAva se abhibhUta ho ge| unheM pratIta hone lagA ki isa mahAn saMgIta-sAdhaka ke samakSa ve svayaM kucha bhI nahIM haiM / cAra ghaTikA paryanta mAlakoza kI ArAdhanA para jayakesarI ne usako sampanna kiyaa| darzakoM ne jaya-jayakAra se AkAza ko guMjA diyaa| vikramAditya ne bhI khar3e hokara mahAn kalAkAra ko dhanyavAda diyA / tadanantara mahAmaMtrI ne dUsare kalAkAra vijayasiMha se apanI kalA prastuta karane kI prArthanA kI / vijayasiMha khar3A huaa| rUpamAlA kI vAdyamaMDalI raMgamaMca para A gii| vijayasiMha ne kahA- 'maiM Aja rAgamaMjarI kI ArAdhanA prastuta kruuNgaa| isa rAga kA prabhAva yaha hai ki jalakuMbha meM bharA huA jala rAga ke svara- kalloloM ke sAtha uchalegA aura Apako Azcaryacakita kara degaa| Apa dhairyapUrvaka use dekheM, suneM / ' rAgamaMjarI kI ArAdhanA prAraMbha huii| eka ghaTikA ke pazcAt gAyaka vijayasiMha ne apane mitra agnivaitAla kI ora dekhA, vaitAla samajha gayA aura kucha hI kSaNoM ke pazcAt jalakuMbha se jala uchalane lgaa| darzaka Azcarya se stambhita raha ge| dUsarI ghaTikA bIta gii| jalakuMbha kA jala aura UMcA uchalane lgaa| mahAn gAyaka jayakesarI bhI isa ArAdhanA se stambhita ho gyaa| usane Aja taka rAgamaMjarI kA nAma bhI nahIM sunA thA aura aisA prabhAva kabhI nahIM dekhA thaa| tIsarI ghaTikA pUrI huii| rAgamaMjarI kI ArAdhanA sampanna hone vAlI thI / darzaka jaya-jayakAra kara apanA harSa vyakta kara rahe the / bhAvAveza meM rAjakanyA khar3I huI aura mAtA-pitA ko namana kara bolI- 'isa gAyaka kI sAdhanA se maiM prasanna huuN| ApakI AjJA ho to maiM isake gale meM varamAlA pahanAUM ?' 122 vIra vikramAditya -

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mahArAjA ne prasannacitta ho AjJA dii| ArAdhanA sampanna hote hI rAjakanyA Age bar3hI aura darzakoM ke harSanAda ke madhya gAyaka vijayasiMha ke gale meM varamAlA pahanA dii| __ mahAmaMtrI ne vijayasiMha ko dhanyavAda diyA aura sabake samakSa kahA'rAjakumArIjI kA nizcaya Aja phalita ho gayA hai| aba zubha dina dekhakara Arya vijayasiMha ke sAtha rAjakanyA kA vivAha Ayojita hogaa|' sabhI darzakoM ne rAjakanyA kA jayanAda kiyaa| 25. pANigrahaNa samAraMbha pUrA huaa| mahArAjA zAlivAhana ne gAMva ke bAhara sthita rAjakanyA kA bhavana vijayasiMha ke nivAsa ke lie nirdhArita kiyA aura dUsare dina prAta:kAla hI vijayasiMha rUpI vikramAditya aura vaitAla rAjA ke ratha meM baiThakara usa bhavana kI ora cala pdd'e| vijayasiMha aba mahArAjA kA dAmAda thaa| usakI sAra-saMbhAla ke lie dAsa-dAsiyoM kA eka samUha bhI bheja diyA gayA thaa| rAjapurohita ne usI saptAha ke aMta meM vivAha kA zubha muhUrta nikaalaa| samUcA nagara isa samAcAra se utsAhita ho gyaa| mahArAjA zAlivAhana ne eka hI beTI hone ke kAraNa vivAha kA samAraMbha atyanta bhavya ho, isa dizA meM maMtrIvarga pUrNa sAvadhAna thaa| dUsare hI dina se rAjakanyA ke vivAha kI taiyAriyAM hone lgiiN| mahAn gAyaka jayakesarI ko dasa hajAra svarNamudrAeM bheMTasvarUpa dI gaI aura vivAha taka vahIM rukane kA anurodha kiyA gyaa| vaha prasannamanA rukane ke lie taiyAra ho gyaa| vikramAditya kA mana atyanta prasanna thaa| vaitAla bhI pUrNa Ananda meM thaa| vaitAla bolA- 'mahArAja! Aja bhAgyazAlI haiM, dIrghadRSTi haiM, kintu Apa vivAha kI pUrva taiyArI nahIM kara rahe haiN|' 'hameM kyA taiyArI karanI hai?' 'avaMtI se koI alaMkAra athavA dAsa-dAsI athavA mahAdevI Adi ko...|' "phira tuma bhUla ge| yadi rAjakumArI ko jJAta ho jAe ki maiM avaMtI kA rAjA hUM to usakA roSa bhar3aka utthegaa| maiM abhI sAmAnya kalAkAra ke veza meM hUMhamane nirdhana hone kA dikhAvA kiyA hai, isalie avaMtI se yahAM kucha bhI le AnA ucita nahIM hai| kintu tumheM eka kArya karanA hogaa|' vIra vikramAditya 123

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'AjJA deM / ' 'vivAha se eka dina pahale maiM mahAdevI ke nAma eka patra tumheM duuNgaa| vaha patra tuma mahAdevI ko denaa| usake AdhAra para vaha tumheM navalakhA hAra degii| tuma usa hAra ko lekara yahAM A jaanaa|' 'navalakhA hAra !' 'hAM, priyA ke prathama milana para maiM use yaha hAra denA cAhatA huuN|' 'usa bahumUlya hAra ko dekhakara rAjakumArI ke mana meM koI saMzaya jAgRta ho gayA to ?' 'usakA uttara maiMne soca liyA hai| maiM kahUMgA ki mere rAga kI ArAdhanA se prabhAvita hokara mAlavapati ne mujhe yaha hAra bheMTasvarUpa diyA thaa|' vaitAla prasannadRSTi se vikrama ko dekhane lagA / utsava ke dina sadA choTe hote haiN| ullAsa ke kAraNa dina kaba pUrA bIta jAtA hai, isakA bhAna nahIM rahatA / vivAha ke eka dina pUrva vikramAditya ne apanI mahArAnI ko saMbodhita kara patra likhA / patra likhakara do-tIna bAra use pddh'aa| phira use eka nalI meM banda kara Upara se sIla lagA dii| saMdhyA ke pazcAt patra lekara vaitAla ko vahAM se ravAnA kiyaa| vaitAla mana kI gati se calane vAlA vyantararAja thaa| usakI zakti adbhuta thii| vaha kucha hI kSaNoM meM avaMtI ke rAjabhavana meM eka kakSa meM adRzya rUpa se pahuMca gayA / avaMtI kI mahArAnI devI kamalAvatI abhI-abhI upavana se lauTI thIM / vaitAla adRzya thaa| usane socA- yadi maiM acAnaka hI prakaTa hoUMgA to saMbhava hai dAsa-dAsI ghabarA jAeM, bhayabhIta ho jaaeN| vaha puna: rAjabhavana ke prAMgaNa meM calA gyaa| rAtri kA prArambha ho cukA thaa| sArA rAjabhavana dIpamAlikAoM ke prakAza jhilamilA rahA thaa| - vaitAla ne dRzyarUpa dhAraNa kiyaa| usane dvArapAla ke pAsa jAkara kahA'mahAdevI ko saMdeza do ki mahArAjA vikramAditya ke mukhya samAcAra dene ke lie dUta AyA hai / ' kucha kSaNoM taka dvArapAla vaitAla ko dekhatA rahA, phira eka dAsI ko bhejakara mahArAnI ko saMdeza bhejaa| thor3e hI samaya meM do dAsiyAM dUta ko bulAne A giiN| vaitAla jaba mahAdevI ke kakSa meM gayA taba navayauvanA mahArAnI eka Asana para baiThI 124 vIra vikramAditya

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huI thii| usane vaitAla ko pahacAna liyaa| vaha muskarAtI huI bolI- 'Ao mahApuruSa!' 'mahAdevI! mahArAjA kA eka patra lAyA huuN|' kahakara vaitAla ne vikramAditya kA patra mahAdevI ke hAthoM meM thamA diyaa| vaha eka Asana para baiTha gyaa| mahAdevI patra par3hane lgii| pana ko par3hakara usakA roma-roma harSita ho gyaa| pUrA patra par3hakara vaha bolI- 'bahuta hI AnandadAyaka samAcAra hai| mahArAja kuzalakSemato haiM na?' 'hAM, mahAdevI! mahArAja parama svastha aura prasanna haiN|' 'aba tuma mujhe vahAM kI sArI bAta btaao|' vaitAla ne atha se iti taka sArI bAta btaaii| pUrI bAta sunakara mahAdevI atyadhika Anandita huI aura haMsate-haMsate kahA-'anta meM nArI kI hI jIta huImahArAjA ko nArI-rUpa kA hI sahArA lenA pdd'aa|' vaitAla bhI haMsane lgaa| dUsare kucha prazna pUchakara mahAdevI ne vaitAla se kahA- 'aba maiM tumhAre lie bhojana kI vyavasthA madhyarAtri meM hI karUM?' 'bhojana maiM kahIM bhI kara luuNgaa|' 'nahIM, aisA nahIM ho sktaa| maiM bhojana kI vyavasthA eka kakSa meM kara detI huuN| vizrAma karanA ho to.....|' vaitAla ne haMsate hue kahA-'vizrAma kI AvazyakatA hI kahAM hai? Apa AjJA deM to maiM mahAmaMtrI aura donoM nartakI bahanoM se mila aauuN| Apa navalakhA hAra taiyAra rkheN|' 'mahArAjA to puruSa haiN| unako to kevala navalakhA hAra hI yAda A rahA hai| maiM anyAnya alaMkAra bhI taiyAra rkhuugii| tuma jAkara zIghra hI A jaanaa|' mahArAnI ne khaa| vaitAla prasannacitta ho vahAM se vidA huaa| mahArAnI kamalAvatI ne apanI mukhya paricArikA ko bulAkara bhaNDAragRha kholane kA Adeza diyaa| usameM se alaMkAroM kI eka peTI kholakara navalakhA hAra, ratnakaMkaNa, rAginI, bAjUbaMdha, kaTimekhalA Adi alaMkAra nikAlakara dUsarI peTI meM rakhakara vyavasthita kara, use apane khaNDa meM rakhavA diyaa| phira vaha apane svAmI kA patra puna: par3hane lgii| koI bhI strI apane antarbhAva avyakta rakha sakatI hai, para viyogakAla meM ve saba AMkhoM meM ubhara Ate haiN| vIra vikramAditya 125

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patra par3hakara usake mana meM eka prazna ubharA-priyatama kaba AeMge? abhI do-DhAI mahIne to laga hI jaaeNge| kyA maiM eka dAsI ke rUpa meM unake pAsa nahIM jA sakatI? kintu tatkAla usakA mana bola uThA-nahIM, nhiiN| svAmI to eka garIba kalAkAra kA abhinaya kara rahe haiM-maiM unake pAsa kaise jAUM? rAjabhavana kI javAbadArI bhI kaise choDUM? aisA karanA ucita nahIM hai| yahIM rahakara unakI pratIkSA karanI hai| mana jaba cintana ke jAla meM phaMsatA hai, taba vaha vividha mArgoM se ur3atA rahatA hai| isa prakAra mahArAnI ke hRdaya meM aneka vicAra umar3ane lge| mahAmaMtrI aura donoM nartakI bahanoM ko sArA vRttAnta batAkara vaitAla madhyarAtri ke samaya adRzya-rUpa meM rAjabhavana pahuMca gyaa| mahArAnI kamalAvatI akelI apane zayanakakSa meM zayyA para leTI huI thii| sabhI dAsiyAM apane-apane sthAna para so gaI thiiN| mAtra paharedAra idhara-udhara ghUma rahe the| vaitAla sabase pahale bhojana sAmagrI vAle khaNDa meM gyaa| vahAM usake lie vibhinna prakAra kI miThAiyoM se bhare thAla rakhe the| kesara-kastUrI vAle dUdha se bhare do ghar3e bhI the| vaitAla ne khAdyasAmagrI dekhii| vaha bahuta prasanna huaa| lambe samaya ke pazcAt aisA bhojana use milA thaa| vaha bhojana ko udarastha karane lgaa| khA-pIkara vaha bahuta Anandita huA aura adRzya rUpa se mahAdevI ke khaNDa meM calA gyaa| mahAdevI abhI jAgRta avasthA meM hI thI, kintu unako vaitAla dikhAI nahIM de rahA thaa| vaitAla prakaTa hokara bolA- 'mahAdevI kI jaya ho! Aja bahuta dinoM ke bAda mana tRpta huA hai| mahAdevIjI ! Aja kA bhojana mujhe bahuta yAda aaegaa|' kamalAvatI zayyA meM baiTha gii| vaitAla ke prasanna vadana ko dekhakara bolI'mahApuruSa! tumheM jo le jAnA hai, vaha taiyAra hai|' "to Apa mujhe deM-yahAM se maiM apane sthAna para jAUMgA aura prAta:kAla mahArAjA vikramAditya ke pAsa pahuMca jaauuNgaa|' mahArAnI alaMkAroM se bharI vaha peTI vaitAla ke hAthoM meM sauMpatI huI bolI'peTikA meM eka tAr3apatra rakhA hai| mere prANanAtha ko kahanA ki ve prasannahRdaya se sukumArI ke sAtha vivAha kara yahAM zIghra pdhaareN|' agnivaitAla peTikA lekara vAtAyana mArga se adRzya ho gyaa| rAnI kamalAvatI prANanAtha ke vicAroM meM kho gii| mahArAjA vikramAditya zayyA kA tyAga kareM, usase pUrva hI vaitAla unake zayanakakSa meM pahuMca gayA aura unakI rezamI cAdara ko khIMcate hue bolA- 'mahArAja kI jaya ho|' 126 vIra vikramAditya

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vikrama har3abar3Akara uThe aura bole- 'mitra! tuma A gae ? mahAdevI kuzala haiM na?' 'atyanta Ananda meM haiN| unhoMne yaha peTikA dI hai| usameM unake dvArA likhita tAr3apatra bhI hai|' vikramAditya ne tatkAla peTikA kholii| usameM alaMkAroM ko dekhakara ve cauMka pdd'e| unhoMne apanI priyatamA kA patra par3hakara kahA-'mitra! kamalA bahuta buddhimatI hai|' ___'mahArAja! mahAdevI Apako bahuta yAda karatI haiM aura vaha cAhatI haiM ki Apa apanI naI rAnI ke sAtha tatkAla avaMtI padhAreM, aisI unakI bhAvanA hai|' vikramAditya ne patra ko phAr3ate hue kahA-'mitra! patra rakhanA mere lie anukUla bAta nahIM hai| yadi yaha patra sukumArI ke hAtha laga jAe to merA paricaya use prApta ho jaae|' 'maiM samajha gayA, mahArAja!' mahArAja vikramAditya ne usa peTikA ko samhAlakara rakha liyA aura prAta:kArya ke lie apane mitra ke sAtha bAhara A ge| Aja rAjakumArI kA vivAha hogA-isI umaMga meM samUcI nagarI meM utsava kI taiyArI kI jA rahI thI, mAno apanI hI putrI kA vivAha ho, isa prakAra sArI janatA harSonmatta ho rahI thii| gata tIna dinoM se mahArAjA zAlivAhana ne pUre nagara ko bhojana ke lie nimaMtrita kiyA thaa| Aja nagarazreSThI kI ora se bhojana-vyavasthA thii| Aja godhUlikA ke pavitra samaya meM rAjabhavana ke vizAla prAMgaNa meM vijayasiMha rUpI vikramAditya kA vivAha rAjakanyA ke sAtha sampanna huaa| rAta ko nagarI kI nartakiyAM nRtya karane vAlI thIM aura mahAn gAyaka jayakesarI kA saMgIta bhI hone vAlA thaa| 26. prathama milana kI UrmiyAM rAtri kA pahalA prahara bIta gyaa| dUsare prahara ke pazcAt navadampatti samAraMbha se nivRtta hokara susajjita ratha meM baiThakara nagarI ke bAhara vAle bhavana kI ora prasthita hue| ___mahArAjA zAlivAhana ne kanyAdAna ke nimitta bahuta saMpatti arpita kI thI-ratnAlaMkAra, svarNa, gAyeM, dAsa-dAsI, ratha, hAthI, ghor3e tathA do gAMva bhI die the| vIra vikramAditya 127

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bhavana meM padArpaNa karane ke pazcAt vikramAditya eka khaNDa meM gae aura pratIka rUpa se sthApita kuladevI ke samakSa apanI navor3hA patnI ke sAtha namaskAra kiyaa| yahAM vikramAditya ke sAtha koI mitra nahIM thA-ekamAtra agnivaitAla vahAM upasthita thaa| vaha atyanta utsAhapUrvaka sAtha raha rahA thaa| kuladevI ko namana karane kA kArya pUrA kara apanI mukhya dAsiyoM ke sAtha sukumArI eka khaNDa meM gii| vikramAditya aura agnivaitAla bhI eka kakSa meM ge| vahAM rAjya ke maMtrI, yuvarAja Adi Ae hue the| unake sAtha ghaTikA paryanta bAtacIta kara vikramAditya ne sabako visarjita kiyaa| donoM mitra akele hue, taba agnivaitAla bolA-'mahArAja! ApakI sAdhanA pUrI huii| vAstava meM Apane eka nArIratna prApta kiyA hai|' ___ 'mitra! merI sAdhanA kA bala to tuma hI ho| tumhArI kRpA se hI maiM vizva kI isa zreSTha sundarI ko prApta kara sakA hUM-tumhAre upakAra ko maiM kabhI nahIM bhuuluuNgaa|' vikrama ne atyanta bhAvapravaNa svaroM meM khaa| 'mahArAja! jahAM nirmala maitrI hotI hai, vahAM upacAra yA AbhAra jaisA kucha nahIM rhtaa| maiM to Apa-jaise parAkramI rAjA ko mitra banAkara dhanyatA kA anubhava kara rahA huuN| yadi Apake paricaya meM maiM nahIM AtA to merI zakti bure kAryoM meM hI lgtii| vAstava meM Apake upakAra kA badalA maiM bhava-bhavAntara meM bhI nahIM cukA paauuNgaa|' agnivaitAla ne prasanna svaroM meM khaa| vikrama ne mitra ke kaMdhe para hAtha rakhakara kahA-'mitra! abhI taka tumane bhojana bhI nahIM kiyaa|' 'ApakI sAdhanA kI pariNati se maiM atyanta tRpta ho gayA huuN|' 'tumhAre zayanakakSa meM bhojana kI sArI sAmagrI rakhI huI hai| tuma yadi bhojana nahIM karoge to mujhe cintA satAtI rhegii|' 'maiM avazya hI bhojana karUMgA, prntu...|' 'bolo, kyoM hicakicAte ho?' 'Apa yahAM kaba taka rukeMge?' 'mitra! maiMne rAjakanyA ke mana se dveSabhAva dUra kiyA hai, kintu usake anta:karaNa meM abhI rAjAoM aura rAjakumAroM ke prati virAga hai, use bhI miTAnA hai| mujhe yahAM lagabhaga do mahIne to rukanA hI pdd'egaa|' / 'de mahIne rukeMge?' 'hAM, aisA merA anumAna hai| maiMne vikramA ke rUpa meM isake sAtha bahuta carcAeM kI haiN| Aja vijayasiMha ke rUpa meM bAteM karUMgA....aura vikramAditya ke rUpa meM kaba carcA kara pAUMgA, yaha eka prazna hai|' 128 vIra vikramAditya

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'Apa AjJA deM to maiM kala yahAM se apane sthAna para calA jaauuN| Apa jaba mujhe yAda kareMge, maiM hAjira ho jaauuNgaa|' vikrama do kSaNa taka socane ke bAda bole- 'acchA, tuma jaao| jaba AvazyakatA hogI, taba maiM avazya hI yAda kruuNgaa|' rAtri kA tIsarA prahara cala rahA thA / vaitAla apane zayanakakSa kI ora calA gayA / vikrama aba apane zayana kakSa meM gayA taba pUrNimA ke cAMda-sI manohara sukumArI navavadhU ke veza meM apanI sakhiyoM aura dAsiyoM se ghirI baiThI thii| kalAkAra priyatama ko kakSa meM praveza karate dekhakara sukumArI lajjA ke bhAra jhukI huI thii| sabhI sakhiyAM aura dAsiyAM bhI khar3I ho gaIM aura namana karatI huI khaNDa ke bAhara nikalane lgiiN| eka vAcAla dAsI bola uThI- 'kalAkAra mahArAja ! hamArI priya sakhI nAma se hI sukumArI nahIM haiM, rUpa aura deha se bhI sukumArI hI haiM / ' 'tuma apanI sakhI kI cintA mata kro| yaha to mere jIvana kI saurabha hai / ' vAcAla sakhI tatkAla khaNDa se bAhara A gaI aura zayanakhaNDa kA dvAra banda kara sAMkala lagA dii| vikrama mugdha nayanoM se priyA kI ora dekhate hue nikaTa Ae aura rAjakanyA ke kaMdhe para hAtha rakhakara kahA- 'priye!' puruSa kA prathama sparza ! sukumArI kA zarIra vINA ke tAroM kI taraha jhanajhanA utthaa| vikrama donoM hAthoM se patnI ko apanI ora khIMceM, usase pahale hI sukumArI chUTakara eka thAla ke pAsa pahuMcI aura donoM hAthoM se eka puSpamAlA uThA lAyI / hRdaya meM adRzya harSa kA sAgara hiloreM le rahA thaa| Ananda kI UrmiyAM uchala rahI thiiN| bhAvanA ullasita ho rahI thii| phira bhI hAtha meM pakar3I huI mAlA kaMpita ho rahI thI / nayanoM meM aura mana meM zobhita nArIsulabha lajjA mAno puSpamAlA setira - nitarakara baha rahI thI / vikrama bhI usa thAla ke pAsa Ae aura usameM par3I dUsarI puSpamAlA uThA laae| itanA hI nahIM, priyA apane priyatama ko mAlA pahanAe, usase pUrva hI vikrama lajjArakta vadana se zobhAyamAna sukumArI ke kaMTha meM mAlA pahanAte hue bole- 'priye ! nara-nArI ke jIvana-saubhAgya ke isa prathama ekAnta kSaNa meM pUjA kI pahalI adhikAriNI nArI hotI hai / ' vIra vikramAditya 126

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sukumArI kucha bhI nahIM bola skii| usane apane priyatama ke kaMTha meM mAlA pahanA dI aura vikrama usako bAhupAza meM jakar3eM usase pUrva hI vaha unake caraNoM meM luTa gaI / chaha-chaha bhavoM se puruSa jAti kI agnibharI dRSTi se dagdha huI sukumArI ko premollAsa se vikrama ne donoM hAtha pakar3akara uThAyA aura bAhupAza meM bharate hue kahA - 'priye ! tumhAre samarpaNabhAva se Aja maiM pUrNa banA hUM- mere pAsa zabda nahIM haiM, jinake mAdhyama se maiM apanA harSa vyakta kara skuuN| maiM mAtra itanA hI kaha sakatA hUM ki tumhArA samarpaNa mere jIvana kA madhura saMgIta banakara rahegA, yahI gIta hamAre jIvana kA pAtheya hogA / ' sukumArI ne priyatama ke bAhupAza se mukta hone kA tanika bhI prayAsa nahIM kiyA / lajjA kA bhAra samagra deha para thA, parantu Aja aura abhI vaha bhAra eka varadAna jaisA laga rahA thaa| usane tirachI dRSTi se svAmI ke prasanna vadana kI ora dekhA aura taba usake nayana aura vadana para praphullatA khila uThI / oha! kalAkAra kI kAyA itanI sundara aura baliSTha hai ? kalAkAra ke nayanoM itanI mastI hai ? vikrama ne priyA ke gulAbI adharoM para apane adhara rakhe aura dIrgha cumbana / sukumArI ko lagA - isa sparza kA kahIM anta na ho| yaha ananta banA rhe| vikrama ne pUchA- 'priye ! maunavrata to nahIM hai na ?' sukumArI lajjA ke bhAra se daba cukI thii| vaha bolI- 'svAmin! kabhIkabhI bolane se sunanA adhika tRptidAyI hotA hai|' 'oha priye ! aisI tRpti puruSa ke hRdaya ko sadA Anandita karatI rahI hai|' donoM ke mana kA saMkoca dUra ho cukA thaa| jaba mana kA saMkoca dUra ho jAtA hai, taba do prANa eka banane kA prayatna karate haiN| donoM ratnajaTita palaMga para bichI puSpa- zayyA para baiTha ge| vikrama ne eka nayA prazna kiyA- 'priye ! eka bAta pUchUM ?' sukumArI ne AMkhoM kI paMkhur3iyoM se svIkRti dI / vikramAditya ne apanI priyA ke komala hAtha apane hAthoM se pakar3akara kahA'priye! mere mana kA eka Azcarya aba taka zAnta nahIM ho pA rahA hai ?' sukumArI ne praznabharI dRSTi se svAmI kI ora dekhA / vikrama ne kahA- 'tuma jaisI rUpavatI nArI ko prApta karane ke lie rAjA hI kyA, deva bhI lAlAyita rahate haiM aura AzA kA thAla bharakara tumhAre dvAra para A pahuMcate haiN| aisI sthiti meM tumane eka kalAkAra ko varamAlA pahanAne kA 130 vIra vikramAditya

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saMkalpa kyoM kiyA ? yadi tuma cAhatI to bahuta bar3e sAmrAjya kI rAjamahiSI bana sakatI thI / ' bIca meM hI sukumArI bola uThI- 'kalAkAra ke hRdaya meM prema, sadbhAva aura vizvAsa kA khajAnA bharA-pUrA hotA hai| rAjA yA devoM ke pAsa ye guNa nahIM hote / ' 'maiMne sunA thA ki tuma vivAha ke baMdhana meM baMdhanA nahIM cAhatI thii|' 'hAM, yaha saca hai| maiM eka rAjakanyA hUM / svAbhAvika bAta hai ki yadi merA vivAha hotA to vaha eka rAjA ke sAtha hI hotA - kintu nArI kA hRdaya kevala vaibhava nahIM cAhatA, sattA aura adhikAra kI agni meM jalanA nahIM cAhatA / vaha jIvana ko amRtamaya banAne vAlA prema mAtra cAhatA hai, aisA prema rAjAoM ke pAsa kahAM hai ?' 'tumhAre vicAra uttama haiM, kahakara vikrama ne sukumArI ko chAtI se lagA liyA / 'aura.... / ' rAtri kA cauthA prahara prArambha ho cukA thaa| donoM jIvana kI prasannatA meM eka-dUsare kA paricaya pA rahe the| nara-nArI ke prathama milana ke samaya prazna eka nahIM, ananta bana jAte haiM aura unakA uttara bhI ananta ho jAtA hai aura donoM kI bAteM kabhI pUrI nahIM hotIM / sadA adhUrI hI rahatI haiN| rAtri ke cauthe prahara kI do ghaTikAeM zeSa thIM / vikrama ne vAtAyana kI ora dekhakara kahA-'oha ! prabhAta hone vAlA hai| priye ! tuma so jAo, ArAma kro|' 'aise ananta prabhAta AyeMge aura jAeMge - zayyA meM sonA kahAM ? ArAma kahAM ?' 'to ?' 'jAgaraNa kA Ananda asIma hotA hai - isameM na zrama hotA hai aura na viSAda / ' vikrama ko tatkAla eka smRti ho aayii| usane peTikA kholI aura kamalA dvArA preSita sAre alaMkAra bAhara nikAle / zayanakhaNDa meM eka dIpaka jala rahA thaa| usake prakAza meM alaMkAroM meM jaTita ratna camakane lage / sukumArI zayyA se nIce utara AyI / vikrama ne kahA - 'priye ! Aja se do varSa pUrva eka mahArAjA aura mahArAnI mere saMgIta para mugdha hokara ye sAre mUlyavAn alaMkAra mujhe upahAra meM die theAja maiM tumheM ye sAre alaMkAra arpita kara rahA huuN|' -- vIra vikramAditya 131

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yaha kahakara vikrama ne priyA ke komala kaNTha meM navalakhA ratnahAra pahanAyA aura zeSa sAre alaMkaraNa usako vaise hI arpita kara diye| bAhara ke upavana meM cir3iyAM cahacahAne lgiiN| pakSiyoM kA zruti-madhura kalava hone lgaa| navadampatti paraspara meM masta mugdha hokara parama Ananda kA anubhava kara rahe the| dUsare dina madhyAhna kI velA meM agnivaitAla apane nivAsa sthAna kI ora calA gyaa| pandraha dina dekhate-dekhate bIta ge| donoM meM se kisI ko yaha bhAna nahIM rahA ki nUtana jIvana kI pandraha rAtriyAM bIta giiN| donoM yahI mAnate the ki nUtana jIvana kA pahalA kSaNa bhI abhI pUrA nahIM huA hai| 26. AMsUbharI yAda manuSya jaba rUpa aura yauvana ke raMga-rAga meM masta bana jAtA hai, taba use na samaya kA bhAna hotA hai aura na svayaM kaa| vikramAditya aura sukumArI ke vivAhita jIvana ke pacAsa dina bIta ge| vikramAditya ne abhI taka apanA mUla paricaya nahIM diyA thaa| ve kalAkAra vijayasiMha ke rUpa meM hI raha rahe the| eka bAra sukumArI ne svAmI ko koI prabhAvaka rAga gAne kI prArthanA kii| vikrama aba rAga-rAginI ke jhaMjhaTa meM phaMsanA nahIM cAhate the| patnI ne jaba ati Agraha kiyA taba vikrama ne kahA-"priye! jisakI goda meM svayaM saMgIta krIr3A kara rahA ho, usako kisI dUsarI rAga-rAginI meM rasa nahIM rhtaa| dUsarI bAta hai ki maiM tumhAre prema meM itanA masta bana gayA hUM ki saMgIta kI UrmI hRdaya meM uThatI hI nahIMtumhArA sahavAsa hI merA prabhAvaka saMgIta hai|' nArI cAhe kitanI hI catura kyoM na ho, jaba vaha sva-prazaMsA sunatI hai, taba saba kucha bhUla jAtI hai| jala-vihAra, vana-vihAra, vINAvAdana, kabhI maMjarI devI kI ArAdhanA, kabhI rUpamAlA kA nRtya-saMgIta-isa prakAra bahuvidha Ananda-pramoda meM do mAsa bIta ge| eka dina sukumArI jaldI jAga gii| usakA mana vyAkula thaa| usane apane svAmI ko jagAte hue kahA-'prANanAtha! mujhe Aja vicitra svapna AyA hai|' 'are! tuma svapna se ghabarA gaI ho?' 'hAM, svAmin ! vicitra svapna thaa|' 132 vIra vikramAditya

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'svapna vicitra hI hotA hai| acchA, tuma batAo to shii|' 'maiM eka latAmaMDapa meM baiThI thii| eka bhramara bAra-bAra mere adhara para daMza dene kA prayatna kara rahA thaa| maiM usa bhramara ke AkramaNa se bhayabhIta ho gii| maiMne usako dUra bhagAne kA pUrA prayatna kiyA, para vaha haThI thii| vaha adhara para daMza dene ke lie aura adhika pAgala ho gyaa| Apa usI latAmaMDapa meM gaharI nIMda meM so rahe the| Apako jAgRta karanA cAhA, para manapIche haTa gyaa| maiMne bhramara ko nikaTatA se dekhaa| vaha bhramara nahIM, eka siMha-zAvaka thaa| Azcarya se merA muMha khulA aura vaha bhramararUpI siMha mere muMha meM praveza kara gyaa| maiM ghabarA gii|' isa vicitra svapna ko sunakara vikrama vicAra-magna ho ge| unhoMne prasanna svaroM meM kahA-'priye! yaha to atyuttama svapna hai| isameM ghabarAne kI koI bAta nahIM hai| tuma zIghra hI mAtA banane vAlI ho| tuma eka putra kA prasava krogii| vaha siMha kI taraha tejasvI aura balazAlI hogaa|' sukumArI svapna kA vaha zubha phala sunakara Anandamagna ho gii| vaha svAmI ke zarIra selatA kI bhAMti lipaTa gii| pAMca-chaha dinoM ke pazcAt svapna kI pRSThabhUmi kA rahasya sukumArI ko anubhUta hone lgaa| niyamita hone vAlA rajodarzana banda ho gyaa| pratidina use vamana hone lgaa| yaha bAta mahAdevI ne sunii| ve rAjavaidya ko sAtha lekara putrI ke nivAsasthAna para aayii| rAjavaidya ne nAr3I kI parIkSA kara rAjakumArI ke sagarbhA hone kI bAta khii| nArI kitanI hI rUpavatI aura vaibhavazAlI kyoM na ho, parantu jaba mAtRtva kA svapna sAkAra hotA hai, taba usake harSa kA koI pAra nahIM hotaa| isa prakAra vikramAditya kA nUtana saMsAra rasamaya banA huA thA aura ve aba eka bAlaka ke pitA baneMge, isa kalpanA se hI ve atyanta Anandita ho rahe the, para eka cintA unheM vicAra-magna kara rahI thii| vAstava meM yahI putra bhaviSya meM mAlava deza kA adhipati hogA-kintu maiM to yahAM eka sAmAnya kalAkAra ke rUpa meM hI huuN| sukumArI ko vAstavika paricaya kaise diyA jAe? yadi maiM vAstavika paricaya dUM aura sukumArI kA hRdaya vyathita ho jAe to? chaha bhavoM kA anubhUta atIta puna: hRdaya meM nAca uThe to mujhe kyA karanA cAhie? bhAvI yuvarAja ke viSaya kI bAta sukumArI ko batAnI Avazyaka hai, para usakA paritApa..... vikrama ne mana-hI-mana eka yojanA bnaaii| patnI ko prasanna-praphulla banAkara usake mana ko samajhAnA aura yadi ucita lage to usako yathArtha se avagata karA denaa| vIra vikramAditya 133

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zItaRtu kA aMtakAla thA / vasaMtaRtu kA prArambha nikaTa thaa| rAtri kA prathama prahara pUrA hote hI mahArAnI vijayA putrI ke bhavana se nikalakara rAjabhavana kI tarapha vidA ho gii| mAtA ko vidA kara sukumArI svAmI ke kakSa meM AyI / patnI ko dekhakara vikrama ne harSa bhare svaroM meM kahA- 'Aja to mAtA ko bahuta samaya taka roke rakhA ?' 'nahIM, svAmin! mAtAjI to saMdhyA ke pazcAt yahAM AyI thIM - Apa kaba padhAra gae ?' kahakara sukumArI vikrama ke pAsa baiTha gaI / 'maiM abhI-abhI lauTA huuN| Aja mahAmaMtrI ke bhavana para calA gayA thA' - vikrama ne sukumArI ke kaMdhe para hAtha rakhate hue khaa| 'hamAre mahAmaMtrI bahuta buddhimAna haiM / ' rAjakumArI ne kahA / 'puNyavAna aura parama dhArmika rAjAoM ko maMtrI bhI zreSTha hI milate haiN| unakI saMtAna bhI uttama hotI hai| tumhAre bhAI kitane sundara aura tejasvI haiN| aura tumhArI bAta hI kyA, devI sarasvatI ke zabdakoza meM bhI ve zabda nahIM haiM, jinase tumhArA varNana kara sakUM / ' 'rahane do - mere meM aisA kyA dekhA hai ?' 'batAUM ?' sukumArI ne tirachI najaroM se dekhakara 'hAM' khaa| 'priye ! raMbhA, menakA aura urvazI svarga kI zreSTha sundariyAM mAnI jAtI haiN| zAstrakAroM ne inakA bharapUra varNana kiyA hai| kaviyoM ne ina sundariyoM ko mAdhyama banAkara zRMgAra-rasa ke aneka kAvya race haiN| itanA hone para bhI ina tInoM apsarAoM ko Aja taka kisI ne nahIM dekhA - binA dekhe hI inakI prazaMsA kI jA rahI hai| tuma to merI AMkhoM ke sAmane ho- tumhArA rUpa, yauvana, deha, gamana, nayana- kaTAkSa, vANI aura vadana- ye saba svarga kI rUpasiyoM se bhI zreSTha haiM / ' 'basa-basa, mere najara na laga jAe - ati prazaMsA ghAtaka hotI hai|' sukumArI ne kahA / 'priye ! maiM atizayokti yA prazaMsA nahIM kara rahA huuN| maiM mAtra yathArtha bAta kaha rahA huuN| maiM tumheM prApta kara pUrNa sukhI hUM, kintu eka cintA mere mana ko vyathita kara rahI hai / ' 'faral?' 'hAM, priye ! vaisI cintA jo kisI ko batAI nahIM jA sktii|' 'mujhe bhI nahIM ?' 'tuma to merI aMgabhUta ho... jIvana ho... tumhAre se chipAUM aisI vastu kyA hai ?' 134 vIra vikramAditya

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'to phira Apako kauna-sI cintA vyathita kara rahI hai?' 'priye! tuma sAmrAjJI hone ke yogya ho-maiM to eka choTA-sA kalAkAra huuN|' tatkAla vikrama ke muMha para hAtha detI huI sukumArI bola uThI- 'svAmin! yaha kaisI cintA? strI apanI pasanda ke puruSa ko svIkAra karatI hai| use kisI dUsare kI abhilASA nahIM rhtii|' 'mujhe bahuta bAra aisA lagatA hai ki yadi maiM kisI mahAn rAjya kA svAmI hotA to tumko....|' bIca meM hI haMsate hue sukumArI ne kahA- 'taba to maiM ApakI ardhAMginI kabhI nahIM bntii|' 'oha! tuma aisA kyoM mAnatI ho ki saMsAra meM kalAkAra hI zreSTha hotA hai| mAlavapati vikramAditya eka mahAn vIra hote hue bhI zreSTha kalAkAra haiN|' 've kucha bhI kyoM na hoM-mere lie to Apa hI rAja-rAjezvara haiM, hRdayezvara haiM, mere svapnoM ke samrAT haiN|' 'priye ! maiM dhanya huaa| eka prazna hai ki tumhAre rUpa kI prazaMsA sunakara koI catura rAjA kalAkAra kA chadmaveza dhAraNa kara tumheM prApta kara letA to....?' 'jo ghaTita hI nahIM huA, usakI kalpanA karanA vyartha haiM' 'yaha to maiM kevala tumhArA manobhAva jAnane ke lie kaha rahA huuN| yadi aisA ho jAtA aura bAda meM tumheM jJAta hotA to tuma kyA karatI?' 'svAmina ! maiM aise chadmavezI pati se sadA dUra hI rhtii|' 'taba to priye! nArI ke satItva kA Adarza hI kyA rahA?' 'Adarza kyoM nhiiN| hA,yaha avazya hai ki merA jIvana zUnya ho jaataa| satItva kI rakSA karanA to merA dharma hai, tapa hai aura isIlie chadmavezI se dUra rahanA mujhe pasanda hai| are! kintu Aja Apa aise prazna kyoM kara rahe haiM?' "priye ! kAraNa ke binA koI prazna hotA hI nahIM?' 'maiM samajhI nhiiN|' 'tumhAre udara meM putraratna pala rahA hai| yadi maiM kisI rAjya kA samrAT hotA to mere putra ko usa mahArAjya kA svAmI banA detaa| tumhAre udara meM palane vAlA putra kyA jIvana-bhara kaMgAla hI banA rahegA? yaha prazna bhI aneka naye prazna upasthita karatA hai|' sukumArI ne haMsate hue kahA-'Apa to vicitra kalpanA ke jAla meM phaMsa gye| hamArA putra eka kalAkAra banegA-mere aura Apake teja kA pratIka banegA aura use yahAM bhI rAjasukha milatA rhegaa|' vIra vikramAditya 135

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vikrama ne kahA - 'priye ! kyA tumhAre mana meM kisI prakAra kA haThAgraha to nahIM hai ?' 'nahIM, kaisA haThAgraha ?' 'rAjA-mahArAjAoM ke prati ghRNAbhAva / ' 'oha!' kahakara sukumArI vikrama se lipaTakara bolI- 'svAmin! Apa na rAjA haiM aura na maiM rAjarAnI hUM - phira cintA kyoM kareM ?' vikrama ne socA, carcA ko lambI karane para saMbhava hai merA paricaya ise prApta ho jAe aura yaha atyanta duHkhI ho jaae| unhoMne priyA kA cumbana lete hue kahA'sukumArI ! Aja mujhe parama saMtoSa kA anubhava ho rahA hai ki tumhAre dila meM rAjarAnI na hone kA duHkha nahIM hai / ' 'to kyA Apa merI parIkSA le rahe the ?' - 'hAM, tumhAre mana ko samajhane ke lie|' 'samajha liyA ?' 'hAM, ucita rUpa se / ' 'kaisA hai ?' 'nirmala kAMca-jaisA svaccha aura pAradarzaka / ' vikrama ne patnI ko hRdaya se lagAte hue kahA / eka saptAha AnandapUrvaka bIta gyaa| vikramAditya ne socA ki sukumArI ko paricaya dene meM bhArI khatarA haiaura yahAM adhika rukanA bhI zakya nahIM / kyA karanA cAhie ? hAM, sukumArI sagarbhA hai ? - kAla bItane para vaha mAM banegI.... isakA samaya bAlaka ke lAlana-pAlana meM sahajatA se bItatA rahegA / isa prakAra vikramAditya ke mana meM aneka saMkalpa-vikalpa uThane lge| ekaeka kara dina bItate ge| sukumArI kI garbhAvasthA kA tIsarA mahInA cala rahA thA / sarvatra Ananda chA rahA thaa| eka dina vikramAditya ne apanI rAjamudrikA tathA eka tAr3apatra meM apanA paricaya aMkita kara eka peTikA meM rakha diyaa| usa peTikA ko apanI priyatamA ko dete hue kahA - 'priye ! isa peTikA ko tuma apane prANoM kI bhAMti saMjokara rakhanA / eka-do dina ke bAda mujhe cAra-chaha mahInoM ke lie pravAsa meM jAnA par3egA / ' 'cAra-chaha mahInoM kA pravAsa ?' 136 vIra vikramAditya

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'hAM, pUrva bhArata meM eka mahAn saMgIta-utsava hai-usameM bhAga lene ke lie pravAsa karanA hai, aisI mere gurudeva ne AjJA dI hai|' sukumArI avAk banakara pati ko dekhatI rhii| vikramAditya bole-'priye! maiM eka kSaNa ke lie tumase alaga nahIM ho sakatA-kintu kyA karUM? tumhArI garbhAvasthA hai| maiM isa avasthA meM tumheM pravAsa meM nahIM le jA sakatA aura pravAsa ko nakAranA bhI guru kI avajJA hai|' sukumArI ke nayana sajala ho ge| vaha bolI-'Apake guru kA saMdeza kaba AyA thA?' 'Aja prAta:kAla hI-merA mitra AyA thaa|' 'oha! kyA pravAsa meM Apako chaha mAsa lageMge?' 'hAM priye! mujhe baMga deza jAnA hai| itanA samaya to laga jaaegaa|' 'itanA laMbA pravAsa?' 'tumhArA prema merI pAMkheM bana jAegA aura maiM taba apane pravAsa ko sampanna kara lUMgA-tuma isa peTikA ko sAvadhAnI se apane khAsa sthAna meM rakha denaa|' 'peTikA meM kyA hai?' 'peTikA meM koI bahumUlya ratna nahIM hai-isameM mere pUrva jIvana ke saMsmaraNa haiN|' viyoga kI kalpanA mAtra se sukumArI staMbhita ho gii| usakI AMkhoM se ajasra AMsU bahane lge| vikrama ne bar3e prema ke sAtha usake AMsU poMche aura usI rAtri meM apane parama mitra vaitAla ko yAda kiyaa| tIsare dina priyatamA ke AMsuoM kI yAda ke sAtha vikrama vahAM se prasthita ho ge| 28. vaha cora kauna hogA? baMga deza jAne kA bahAnA banAkara vikrama aura agnivaitAla do tejasvI azvoM para car3hakara vahAM se cle| mahArAja zAlivAhana ne dAsa-dAsI, rakSaka, ratha, ghor3e Adi sAtha meM le jAne kA Agraha kiyA thaa| kintu vikrama ne ina sabako pravasa meM sAtha le jAne se inakAra kara diyaa| donoM mitroM ko pahuMcAne ke lie mahArAja, mahAdevI, sukumArI tathA anyAnya rAjapuruSa nagarI kI sImA taka sAtha aae| sabakA AzIrvAda lene ke pazcAt vikramAditya ne patnI kI sajala AMkhoM ke sAmane prema-bharI dRSTi se dekhaa| vIra vikramAditya 137

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viyoga kI kalpanA mAtra vyakti ko vyathita kara detI hai| viyoga jaba sira para maMDarAne lagA hai taba vedanA kA pAra nahIM rhtaa| nagarI se eka kosa dUra cale jAne ke bAda agnivaitAla ne kahA-'mahArAja! yadi Apa apanA yathArtha paricaya sukumArI devI ko de dete to inake mana ko....|' bIca meM hI vikrama ne kahA-'mitra! maiM bhI yahI cAhatA thaa| kintu maiMne isakA mana par3ha liyA thaa| yadi maiM apanA asalI paricaya de detA to isake mana meM mere prati panapane vAlA prema roSa aura tiraskAra meM pariNata ho jaataa| isako chaha-chaha bhavoM kI vedanA kA anubhava hai, isalie alpakAlIna viyoga kI vyathA denA mujhe aucitya lgaa| isake atirikta koI dUsarA mAdhyama nahIM hai|' .. 'ApakA madhyama mArga atyuttama hai-Apa bahuta nipuNa haiN| kintu isa viyogakAla kA anta to AegA hii| usa samaya Apako apanA paricaya bhI denA hI hogaa| Apa avantI kA tyAga kara pratiSThAnapura rahane vAle to haiM hI nahIM?' vaitAla ne khaa| ___ vikrama ne apane azvoM ko ThaharAyA aura vaitAla kI ora dekhakara kahA'mitra! maiMne tumase yaha bAta nahIM kahI thI ki sukumArI sagarbhA haiN| usake svapna ke AdhAra para yaha nizcita hai ki vaha putra ko janma degii| koI bhI nArI jaba mAtA banatI hai, taba vaha vAtsalyarUpI amRta kI saritA bana jAtI hai| jahAM vAtsalya pravAhita hotA hai, vahAM roSa yA dveSa Tika nahIM pAtA / vaha dhula jAtA hai| nArI mamatA banane ke pazcAt adhika maMgalamayI bana jAtI hai, isIlie maiMne kAlakSepa ke lie yaha yojanA banAI hai|' vaitAla Azcarya-bharI dRSTi se vikrama kI ora dekhane lgaa| thor3e samaya pazcAt donoM mitroM ne apane-apane azvoM ko vAyuvega se daudd'aayaa| bIsa kosa calane ke pazcAt ve eka saritA ke taTa para Ae aura vahAM vizrAma karane ke lie tthhre| ghor3oM ko vizrAma denA bhI Avazyaka thaa| vaitAla bolA- 'mahArAja, yadi Apa avaMtI ke udyAna meM jAnA cAheM to hama pahuMca sakate haiN|' 'abhI?' 'hAM, abhii| Apako koI dekha nahIM sakegA aura kucha hI kSaNoM meM Apa avaMtI pahuMca jaaeNge| puna: mujhe bhI saMdhyA se pUrva apane sthAna para pahuMcanA hai|' 'kyoM, mitra?' 'hamArI jAti kA sammelana hone vAlA hai-mujhe apane sthAna se kucha sAmagrI lekara mainAka parvata kI talahaTI para pahuMcanA hai| kama-se-kama tIsa dina to mujhe vahAM laga hI jaaeNge|' vaitAla ne khaa| 138 vIra vikramAditya

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'jaisI tumhArI bhAvanA....kintu yadi kabhI mujhe AvazyakatA huI to?' 'Apa mujhe yadi eka mAha taka yAda nahIM kareMge to merA kArya sampanna ho jaaegaa| phira bhI jaba Apa yAda kareMge taba maiM kucha samaya ke lie upasthita ho jaauuNgaa|' vaitAla ne khaa| 'koI mahattva kA kArya hogA, tabhI tumheM yAda kruuNgaa|' vikrama bole| phira vaitAla apanI zakti ke yoga se kucha hI kSaNoM meM vikrama aura donoM azvoM ke sAtha avaMtI nagarI ke bAhara eka udyAna meM A phuNcaa| vaitAla vikrama kI AjJA lekara adRzya ho gyaa| vikramAditya tatkAla apane rAjabhavana kI ora jAne ke lie donoM azvoM ko lekara cala pdd'e| rAjabhavana meM kisI ko kalpanA bhI nahIM thI ki Aja rAjarAjezvara pdhaareNge| ___ mahArAjA ko mukhya dvAra meM praveza karate dekhakara dvArapAla staMbhita raha gyaa| sabane mahArAjA kA abhivAdana kiyaa| eka dvArapAla ne eka azva ko vahIM thAma liyA aura vikramAditya sIdhe rAjabhavana ke prAMgaNa meM pahuMca ge| saMdhyA bIta cukI thii| rAjabhavana dIpamAlikAoM se jagamagA rahA thaa| mahArAjA ko akasmAt Ate dekhakara vahAM tainAta rakSaka varga ne avaMtInAtha kA jayanAda kiyaa| dAsa-dAsI cauMkakara vAtAyana se dekhane lge| eka dAsI daur3akara mahArAnI kamalAvatI ke khaNDa meM gaI aura mahArAjA ke Agamana kI zubhasUcanA dii| kamalAvatI abhI-abhI snAna se nivRtta hokara apane kakSa meM AyI thii| vaha tatkAla uThakara bolI- 'mahArAja ke sAtha kauna hai?' 'mahArAja akele hI haiM / kamalA ne socA-saMbhava hai navavadhU tathA usakA sAja-sAmAna pIche A rahA hogaa| are, para mahArAjA ne apane Ane kI sUcanA kyoM nahIM dI? __ vaha tatkAla khaNDa se bAhara nikalI aura sopAna zreNI kI ora bar3hI, usase pUrva hI mahArAjA vikramAditya vahAM pahuMca ge| svAmI ko dekhate hI kamalA ne bhAvapUrvaka namana kiyaa| vikrama ne patnI kA hAtha pakar3ate hue kahA-'kamalA! kuzalakSema to hai na?' 'Apa?' 'maiM pUrNa svastha huuN|' kahakara vikrama patnI kA hAtha thAme kakSa kI ora bddh'e| khaNDa meM jAne ke pazcAt vikrama bole-'priye ! mahApratihAra dikhAI nahIM dete?' vIra vikramAditya 136

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'abhI-abhI ve apane bhavana kI ora gae haiN| kintu merI bahana kahAM hai ? kyA ratha pIche raha gayA?' 'nahIM, sukumArI vahIM haiN| sArI bAta maiM phira btaauuNgaa| pahale maiM snAna Adi se nivRtta ho jaauuN|' kamalA ne dAsI ko pukArA aura snAna Adi kI vyavasthA karane kA Adeza diyaa| dAsI namana kara calI gii| vikrama atyanta sAde veza meM the| kamalA ke mana meM Azcarya ubhara rahA thaa| usane pUchA, 'svAmin ! Apa ina kapar3oM meM....?' 'hAM, maiMne vahAM se eka kalAkAra ke rUpa meM prasthAna kiyA thaa| tuma eka kAma karo-mahApratihAra aura mahAmaMtrI ko sUcanA bhejo| itane meM hI maiM snAna Adi se nivRtta ho jaauuNgaa| aura dekho, Aja prAta:kAla maiMne alpAhAra hI liyA hai|' 'to kyA Apa Aja prAta:kAla hI vahAM se cale the?' 'hAM, vaitAla ke sahayoga se Aja cale aura Aja hI yahAM pahuMca gye|' 'oha!' kahakara kamalA khaMDa ke bAhara A gii| thor3e samaya pazcAt kamalA puna: khaMDa meM Akara bolI- 'svAmin ! Apa snAnagRha meM pdhaareN|' vikramAditya tatkAla snAnagRha meM ge| snAna se nivRtta hokara jaba ve apane kakSa meM Ae, taba vahAM bhojana kA thAla taiyAra rakhA thaa| vikramAditya bhojana karane baitthe| mahArAnI kamalA paMkhA jhalane lgii| usane pUchA, 'svAmInAtha! aisA kyA huA ki sukumArI ko vahIM ThaharanA par3A?' 'priye! yaha bAta bahuta lambI hai| phira tumheM btaauuNgaa| kintu hamAre rAjya meM koI avyavasthA to nahIM hai?' 'nahIM, loga atyanta Ananda meM haiN| Apake darzanoM ke lie sArI janatA tarasa rahI hai|' 'tumhArA svAsthya to ThIka hai na?' __'ApakI smRti sadA banI rahatI thii| isake atirikta koI cintA nahIM thii|' 'isIlie mujhe tumhArA vadana kucha murajhAyA-sA lagatA hai, priye! kyA karUM, yahAM Ane ke lie mana bahuta vyAkula-AturathA, kintu vahAM se nikala pAnA atyanta muzkila ho rahA thaa|' 'kyoM? kyA koI aghaTita ghaTanA ghaTa gaI thI?' 'nahIM, priye ! maiM apanA vAstavika paricaya de hI nahIM paayaa|' 140 vIra vikramAditya

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'to phira ?' 'chadmaveza se maiM Uba gayA thA / kintu chadmaveza ko chor3anA bhI sambhava nahIM thaa|' yaha kahakara vikramAditya ne saMkSepa meM atha se iti taka kI ghaTanA batA dI / avAk banakara kamalA suna rahI thii| vikramAditya jaba bhojana se nivRtta hokara uThe taba kamalA bolI, 'yaha to atyanta vikaTa paristhiti khar3I ho gayIsukumArI sagarbhA aura Apa .... / ' bIca meM hI mukhavAsa lete hue vikrama ne kahA- 'priye ! viyoga se prema vRddhiMgata hotA hai aura mAtRtva kI prApti ke pazcAt nArI ke anta:karaNa meM vAtsalya kA jharanA phUTa par3atA hai / yaha vAtsalya hI usake manobhAvoM ko badala sakatA hai|' kamalA kucha uttara de, usase pUrva hI eka paricArikA ne khaNDa meM praveza karate hue kahA, 'mahAmaMtrI Ae haiM / ' 'unako yahI le A / ' 'jI!' kahakara paricArikA calI gaI / kamalA bhI anya kakSa meM jAne ke lie agrasara huii| vikrama ne usako vahIM rukane ke lie khaa| vaha svAmI ke pAsa eka Asana para baiTha gaI / mahAmaMtrI khaMDa meM praviSTa hue aura vikramAditya kI ora prasannamudrA meM dekhate hue bole, 'mahArAja kI jaya ho / ' 'Ao, bhaTTamAtra ! mere akasmAt Agamana se Azcarya to huA hI hogA ?' 'hAM, mahArAja! ApakI sUcanA mila jAtI to ApakA svAgata karane kA avasara janatA ko milatA / ' 'yahAM pahuMcane kI itanI AturatA thI ki maiM sIdhA rAjabhavana meM hI phuNcaa| acchA, rAjya meM loga to sukhI haiM ?'. 'hAM, kRpAvatAra! loga sarvathA sukhI haiN|' 'bAhara kA koI AkramaNa athvaa.....|' 'nahIM, mahArAja! avaMtI kI ora dekhane kI zakti kisameM hai ?' 'to phira tumhAre nayanoM meM cintA ke bhAva kaise dIkha rahe haiM ? mukha para bhI kucha udAsInatA ubharatI -sI lagatI hai.... / ' 'ApakA anumAna sahI hai - gata do mahInoM se avaMtI meM eka vikaTa paristhiti sAmane AyI hai|' rahA hai / ' 'paristhiti ! kaisI ?' prazna ke sAtha hI vikrama Asana se uTha khar3e hue| 'eka cora nagarI meM AyA hai aura vaha himmata ke sAtha gharoM meM coriyAM kara vIra vikramAditya 141

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'apanI nagarI meM cora ? itane-itane rakSaka, caukIdAra aura guptacara haiM, phira bhI cora pakar3a meM nahIM AyA?' vikramAditya kA ceharA tamatamA utthaa| 'mahArAja! cora asAdhAraNa hai| adRzya rahakara vaha corI karatA hai| vaha corI hI nahIM karatA, pr....|' 'bolo, vaha aura kyA karatA hai?' 'usa duSTa cora ne apane nagara kI cAra zreSThI-kanyAoM kA bhI apaharaNa kiyA hai|' 'apaharaNa?' 'hAM, kRpAnAtha!' 'aura ApakI buddhi usa cora ke avarodha meM saphala nahIM ho sakI? yahAM kA guptacara vibhAga sampUrNa deza meM bejor3a ginA jAtA hai| hamArA kotavAla pAtAla se bhI gunahagAra ko khoja nikAlane meM nipuNa hai| mahAbalAdhikRta bhI nipuNa hai| yaha to atyanta du:khada ghaTanA hai|' vikrama ne eka hI sAMsa meM kaha ddaalaa| ... 'samagra prajA ke lie, hamArI zakti ke lie tathA hamAre karmacAriyoM kI buddhi ke lie yaha cora eka cunautI bana gayA hai| isa cora ko pakar3ane ke lie hamArA pUrA taMtra lagA huA hai| kintu isa cora ke koI cihna bhI nahIM mila paate| vaha kahAM rahatA hai, kahAM se AtA hai, isake sAthI kauna-kauna haiM-isakA kucha bhI patA nahIM lgtaa| merA anumAna hai ki yaha cora koI tAMtrika zaktiyoM se sampanna hai|' mahAmaMtrI bhaTTamAtra ne khaa| 'oha!' kahakara vicAramagna vikrama apane khaNDa meM hI idhara-udhara ghUmane lge| kamalA bolI-'kRpAnAtha! maiM Apako yaha bAta tabhI batAtI, jaba Apa vizrAma kara cuke hote|' ___'devI! jo rAjA apanI prajA kA yaha du:kha dUra nahIM kara sakatA, to nizcita hI vaha ayogya zAsaka hai|' usI samaya mahApratihAra kakSa meM praviSTa huaa| vikrama ne usakI ora dekhA / kucha pUchatAcha kara kahA, 'mahAmaMtrI! kala tuma mahAbalAdhikRta, nagara-rakSaka, guptacara vibhAga ke adhikArI Adi sabhI ko ekatra krnaa| ve prAta:kAla hI yahAM A jAeM, aisI sUcanA krnaa| isa prazna ko hameM samAhita karanA hI hogaa| hameM upAya DhUMDhanA hI hogaa|' mahAmaMtrI ne mastaka namAkara vikramAditya kI AjJA ko svIkRti dii| phira kucheka viSayoM kI carcA kara vikramAditya ne mahAmaMtrI Adi ko vahAM se vidAI dii| 142 vIra vikramAditya

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unakA mana 'vaha cora kauna hai ?' 'vaha cora kauna hogA ?' ina praznoM kI udher3a-buna meM ulajha gayA / 26. bhayaMkara aTTahAsa avaMtI nagarI ke zreSThiyoM ke yahAM corI ho, cAra-cAra striyoM kA apaharaNa ho jAe, phira bhI cora ko pakar3A na jA ske| cora kahAM rahatA hai aura kaisA hai - yaha jJAta na ho sake, yaha bahuta Azcarya kI bAta thii| Aja vikramAditya mahInoM ke viyoga ke pazcAt prANezvarI se milane Aye the, aura mana meM aneka svapna saMjo rakhe the, kintu yahAM Ate hI cora ke vRttAnta ne unake sabhI svapnoM ko dhUlisAt kara DAlA / zayanagRha meM jAne ke pazcAt bhI vikrama kA mana aneka saMkalpoM-vikalpoM meM ulajhA rahA / dUsare dina nagara-rakSaka, mahAmaMtrI tathA anya maMtrI, mahAbalAdhikRta Adi mahArAjA ke pAsa ekatrita hue| cora ko pakar3ane ke viSaya meM aneka carcAeM calIM, kintu kisI eka nirNaya para nahIM pahuMcA gyaa| koI kAragara upAya nahIM dikhaa| nagara-rakSaka aura mahAbalAdhikRta kA kahanA thA- 'yaha cora koI bhI kyoM na ho, para vaha corI karane ke pazcAt pIche kucha bhI nizAnI nahIM chor3atA / usake padacihna bhI nahIM mile| ina saMyogoM meM cora ko kaise pakar3A jAe ?' mahAmaMtrI tathA anya maMtriyoM ne bhI yahI kaThinAI pradarzita kii| vikramAditya bole- 'rAjya meM kahIM bhI kucha bhI ho, usakI pUrI jimmedArI rAjA kI hotI hai| rAjA kevala zobhA kI mUrti nahIM hai| rAjA ko Izvara kA aMza isIlie kahA jAtA hai ki usane samUcI prajA kI rakSA karane kA uttaradAyitva svayaM or3hA hai| cora kitanA hI catura aura maMtrazakti-sampanna kyoM na ho, antata: vaha eka manuSya mAtra hai| manuSya kabhI bhUla na kare, yaha asambhava hai|' hamArI isa nagarI se jina cAra kanyAoM kA apaharaNa huA hai aura dhanamAla kI corI huI hai, usako kisI bhI upAya se puna: prApta karanA hai| cAroM dizAoM meM guptacara bheja dene cAhie / nagarI ke bAhara aise koI sthAna hoM to unako dekhanA hai / merA anumAna hai ki jo cora cAra kanyAoM kA apaharaNa kara le gayA hai, vaha nagara meM to raha nahIM sakatA / vaha nagara ke bAhara kahIM rahatA hogaa| hameM rAtri meM pUrI sAvadhAnI baratanI hogI aura koI bhI anajAna manuSya yadi nagarI meM praveza karatA hai to usase pUrI pUchatAcha karanI hogii|' vIra vikramAditya 143

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nagara-rakSaka bolA- 'kRpAnAtha ! hamane yaha sArI vyavasthA sucAru rUpa se kara dI hai / ' vikrama ne kahA- 'phira bhI kahIM-na-kahIM koI kamI avazya rahI hai| jaba taka prajA kI vedanA ko svayaM kI vedanA na mAnA jAe, taba taka usa vedanA ke nivAraNa kA koI upAya prApta nahIM hotaa| tuma sabako yaha eka bAta samajha lenI cAhie ki kanyAoM kA apaharaNa huA hai, ve cAroM kanyAeM dUsaroM kI nahIM, merI haiM, tumhArI haiM / ' sabhI mahArAjA vikramAditya kI ora prazna-bharI dRSTi se dekhane lage / mahArAjA ne kahA, 'mahAmaMtrI ! Aja hama donoM rAtri ke samaya nagara ke bAhara jaaeNge| cora kitanA hI mahAn kyoM na ho, maiM use pakar3e binA sAMsa nahIM luuNgaa| yadi do mahInoM ke bhItara maiM use na pakar3a pAUM, to tuma saba smRti meM rakhanA ki maiM avaMtI ke rAjasiMhAsana ke yogya nahIM hUM aura usa mahAn siMhAsana para baiThane kA mujhe koI adhikAra nahIM hai / ' bhaTTamAtra bole - 'kRpAnAtha ! isa prakAra Aveza meM ... / ' - bIca meM hI vikrama ne kahA, 'mahAmaMtrI ! cAra-cAra kanyAoM kA apaharaNa ho aura rAjA aura usake adhikAriyoM kA khUna na khaula uThe, to unakI mAnavatA ko dhikkAra hai| Aja se sATha dinoM ke bhItara cora ko, jIvita yA mRta avasthA meM pakar3akara dikhAnA hogA / yadi cora pakar3a meM nahIM AyA, to mujhe rAjya-tyAga karanA hI hogA / ' sabhI ne avAk banakara vikramAditya kI ora dekhA / maMtraNA pUrI huii| nagara-rakSaka aura mahAbalAdhikRta ne cAroM ora guptacara aura sainika bheje| rAtri ke samaya mahAmaMtrI bhaTTamAtra ko sAtha lekara vikramAditya nagara ke bAhara nikala pdd'e| pUrI rAta ghUmate rahe, para koI sthAna nahIM milA / dUsare dina donoM dUsarI dizA meM ge| aura tIsare dina saMdhyA ke pazcAt mahAmaMtrI jaba rAjaprAsAda meM pahuMce, taba vikramAditya taiyAra baiThe the| mahAmaMtrI ko dekhate hI ve bole-'bhaTTajI ! Aja to hameM abhI nikala jAnA cAhie / ' 'maiM taiyAra huuN|' 'kala rAta mujhe vicitra svapna AyA thaa| jaba hama nagara kI parikramA kara lauTe taba rAtri kA tIsarA prahara pUrA hone vAlA thaa| maiM vicAramagna hokara so gayA aura kucha hI samaya pazcAt svapna prArambha huaa| maiMne dekhA, dakSiNa dizA meM avaMtI 144 vIra vikramAditya

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nagarI se chaha kosa dUra eka agocara aura jhAr3I vAle pradeza meM eka bhayaMkara kUpa hai| usameM eka vizAla nAga hai| usake muMha meM eka rUpavatI kanyA hai| maiM cauMka par3atA hUMare, eka nAga ke muMha meM kanyA ! maiM kUpa kI mer3a para khar3A hokara dekhatA rahatA hUM / mere mana meM yaha vicAra AtA hai ki kyA yahI to cora kA gupta sthAna nahIM hai ? maiM kueM meM utarane kA vicAra karatA hUM, itane meM prAta:kAla kI jhAlara baja uThatI hai aura mahAdevI mujhe jAgRta kara rahI hotI haiN|' bhaTTamAtra tatkAla bola uThA, 'mahArAja ! yaha to ati uttama svapna hai| Apane svapna meM jo sthAna dekhA hai, usakI khoja karane ke lie hameM kala prAta: hI jAnA caahie| abhI rAtri - velA meM kucha bhI dikhAI nahIM degaa| isa svapna kA phala yaha honA cAhie ki vaha rUpavatI kanyA Apako prApta hogI / ' vikramAditya mahAmaMtrI ke vicAroM se sahamata hue / dUsare dina snAna Adi prAta:karma se nivRtta hokara vikramAditya mahArAnI kamalAvatI ke pAsa gaye aura svapna kI bAta batAI / 'svAmI! Apa sAvadhAna raheM - ApakI kalpanA ke anusAra yadi usa kUpa meM mAMtrika cora hogA to.....|' 'priye ! yaha to eka vicitra svapna thA / kUpa hai yA nahIM, yaha eka prazna hai| tuma nizcinta rho| maiM kSaNa bhara ke lie asAvadhAna nahIM rhuuNgaa|' mahApratihAra ne mahAmaMtrI ke Agamana kI sUcanA dii| vikrama kamalAdevI ko kahakara vahAM se vidA hue| vikrama aura mahAmaMtrI donoM uttama azvoM para baiThakara dakSiNa dizA kI ora cala pdd'e| vikrama mana-hI-mana jAnate the ki bhaTTamAtra jyotirvidyA meM pAraMgata haiM, isalie unhoMne svapna kA jo phala batAyA hai, vaha anyathA ho nahIM sakatA / kintu aisA aneka bAra hotA hai ki svapna meM dIkhatA hai kucha aura usakA yathArtha rUpa kucha aura hotA hai| nAga ke muMha meM koI strI kabhI ho hI nahIM sakatI - kintu isa dRzya kA mAtra yahI phalitArtha ho sakatA hai ki nAgarUpI mAMtrika cora ke paMje meM phaMsI huI kanyAeM mukta hone kI ceSTA kara rahI haiN| vikrama ko isa svapna ke AdhAra para aisA pratIta ho rahA thA ki mAMtrika cora aba pakar3a meM A jaaegaa| unhoMne calate-calate kahA-'mahAmaMtrI ! tumane svapna kA phala spaSTa nahIM kiyA / mujhe to aisA pratIta hotA hai ki Aja merI pratijJA pUrI hogii| mAMtrika cora mere hAthoM pakar3A jAegA aura cAroM kanyAoM kI mukti mere dvArA hogii| nAga cora kA pratIka hai aura vaha kanyA cAra kanyAoM kI pratIka hai|' vIra vikramAditya 145

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'mahArAja! tIna dinoM se Apake mana meM mAMtrika cora ke vicAra hI A rahe haiM, isalie Apane yaha kalpanA kI hai, kintu svapnazAstra ke anusAra Apako zreSTha nArI kI prApti honI caahie|' bhaTTamAtra ne kahA / vikrama bole- 'mujhe pratIta hotA hai ki Apa apanI jyotiSa vidyA ko bhUlase gae haiM, kyoMki rAjakArya meM ApakI bahuta vyastatA rahatI hai|' bhaTTamAtra ne haMsakara kahA - 'mahArAja ! jo vidyA AtmasAt ho jAtI hai, vaha kabhI vismRta nahIM hotii| vaha janmAntara taka bhI sAtha meM rahatI hai| maiM Apako dAve ke sAtha kaha sakatA hUM ki Apako nArIratna kI upalabdhi hogii| yadi merI yaha bhaviSyavANI asatya huI to maiM jyotiSa vidyA kA tyAga kara dUMgA / ' ye zabda sunakara vikrama ne apane azva ko rokakara kahA - 'mahAmaMtrI ! to hameM aba puna: lauTa jAnA caahie| mujhe nArIratna kI prApti ho cukI hai| ' bhaTTamAtra bolA- 'mahArAja ! Apa utAvale na hoM - yahAM Ae haiM to khojakara ...jaaeNge| merI gaNanA meM bhUla bhI raha sakatI hai|' donoM mitra Age bar3he / lagabhaga do kosa dUra jAne ke pazcAt vikrama ne kahA, 'bhaTTamAtra ! svapna meM maiMne aisA sthAna dekhA thA - sAmane jo vaTavRkSa hai, isakI mujhe pUrI smRti hai| maiM isake pAsa se gujarA thA, aisA yAda hai / ' 'to hama usI ora se caleM ?' donoM ne apane azvoM ko vaTavRkSa kI ora modd'aa| kucha dUra jAne para agocara aura jhAr3a-jhaMkhAr3a ke bIca eka kUpa dikhAI diyA / vikramAditya bole - 'mitra ! mujhe yahI kUpa svapna meM dikhAI diyA thaa|' donoM kUpa ke pAsa pahuMce aura azvoM se nIce utre| bhaTTamAtra ne kahA - 'yaha kUpa to sau varSa purAnA pratIta hotA hai - isakA upayoga koI karatA ho, aisA pratIta nahIM hotA / ' 'aisA hI lagatA hai / ' kahakara vikrama ne apanA azva eka ora vRkSa ke tane se bAMdha kiyaa| azva ko bAMdha-bAMdhate mahAmaMtrI ne kahA- 'mahArAja ! hameM pUrNa sAvadhAnI pUrvaka kueM ke pAsa jAnA caahie|' 'hAM, kintu maiM akelA hI jaauuNgaa| tuma yahIM ruke raho / ' 'nahIM, mahArAja! maiM to sAtha hI calUMgA / ' donoM kueM ke pAsa pahuMce / acAnaka unhoMne bhayaMkara AvAja sunI - 'Ao, Ao, tumhAre meM sAhasa ho, vIratva ho to mere muMha meM phaMsI huI saMsAra kI zreSTha sundarI ko le jaao|' 146 vIra vikramAditya

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raha ge| donoM cauMke - donoM ne aMdhakUpa meM jhAMkakara dekhA / dekhate hI donoM staMbhita 1 ajagara se bhI vizAla eka bhayaMkara nAga kueM meM thaa| usake muMha meM devakanyA jaisI eka ati sundara kamanIya kanyA phaMsI huI thI / yaha kyA ho sakatA hai ? isa prakAra eka mAnava kanyA nAga ke muMha meM phaMsa nahIM sakatI / bhaTTamAtra ATha-dasa kadama pIche raha gayA thA / vikramAditya ne tatkAla usa AvAja ke uttara meM kahA- 'maiM abhI A rahA huuN| merI talavAra tumhArI kAyA ke Tukar3e-Tukar3e kara degI / ' itanA kahakara vikrama ne apanA mukuTa utArakara mahAmaMtrI ko sauMpa diyaa| kueM meM se eka bhayaMkara aTTahAsa gUMja utthaa| 30. rAjalakSmI kA apaharaNa aTTahAsa itanA bhayaMkara hotA hai ki vaha manuSya kI haDDI - pasaliyAM DhIlI kara DAlatA hai| kUpa se adbhuta aTTahAsa bhaTTamAtra ke lie asahya thA / usane tatkAla vikrama kA hAtha pakar3ate hue kahA- 'mahArAja ! Apa kUpa meM na kUdeM - bhItara bhayaMkara kAlasarpa baiThA hai / ' vikrama ne muskarAte hue kahA - 'mitra !' svapna kA bhAvI phala to tumane hI batAyA thA-manuSya eka janma meM eka hI bAra maratA hai| maiM mAnatA hUM ki yaha sarpa nahIM, kintu avaMtI ko pIr3ita karane vAlA mAMtrika cora hai| vaha kitanA hI zaktizAlI kyoM na ho, Aja merI talavAra ke eka hI vAra se mRtyudhAma pahuMca jAegA aura usakI sArI AzAeM naSTa ho jaaeNgii| tuma cintA mata karo - zAnti se dekhate raho / ' bhaTTamAtra vikrama kI tejasvI AMkhoM ke sAmane dekhatA rahA / vikrama ne apanI tIkhI dhAra vAlI talavAra ko myAna se mukta kiyA - mastaka kA rakSaNa mahAmaMtrI ke hAtha meM sauMpakara vaha kUpa ke pAsa pahuMcA aura usakI mer3a para khar3A hokara pracaNDa svara meM bolA- 'Aja maiM tujhe naSTa kara dUMgA - tU sAvadhAna ho jA / ' itanA kahakara mauta kI tanika bhI paravAha kie binA, vikrama ne usa aMdhakUpa meM chalAMga lagA dI / kintu yaha kyA ? vIra vikramAditya 147

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vikrama adhara meM hI aTaka ge| nAga ke badale vahAM eka sundara puruSa khar3A thaa| usake pAsa vaha sundarI khar3I thii| sundarI kA rUpa-lAvaNya apUrva thaa| usake alaMkAroM kI prabhA se samUcA kUpa prakAzita ho rahA thaa| vikrama adhara meM the, phira bhI unhoMne apanI talavAra uttejita kii| nAga ke rUpa kA tyAga kara puruSa banA huA vaha bola uThA- 'o vIra puruSa! tuma zAMta ho| maiM cora nahIM, kintu eka vidyAdhara huuN| tumhArI parIkSA karane ke lie hI maiMne svapna kI racanA kI thii|' tatkAla vikrama ne talavAra roka dii| vidyAdhara deva ne unheM nIce utaaraa| kueM kI kucha dUrI para bhaTTamAtra AMkheM banda kara khar3A thaa| vaha mAnatA thA ki vikramAditya Apatti meM phaMsa jaaeNge| bhayaMkara nAga kyA karegA? kintu aba kyA ho? saMsAra meM bAlahaTha, strIhaTha, rAjahaTha aura yogIhaTha-inako TAlA nahIM jA sktaa| vikramAditya deva ke sAmane khar3e rahe, taba deva ne kahA- 'rAjan ! vaitADhya parvata para zrIpura nAma kI nagarI meM rahatA huuN| merA nAma hai dhIra / yaha merI rUpavatI aura guNavatI kanyA kalAvatI hai| maiM aba saMsAra tyAgakara muni bananA cAhatA huuN| maiM apanI isa ekAkI putrI ko kisI yogya vara ke hAthoM meM sauMpane kI dRSTi se, usakI khoja meM yahAM AyA huuN| vaitADhya parvata para aneka vidyAdhara parivAra haiM, kintu mAnavajAti meM jo guNa hote haiM, jo parAkrama hotA hai, vaha vidyAdharoM meM nahIM hotaa| dUsarI bAta hai ki merI yaha kanyA bhI kisI vIra puruSa kI sahadharmiNI bananA cAhatI hai| Aja maiM Apako pAkara atyanta prasanna huuN| Apa merI kanyA ko svIkAra kreN|' vikrama yaha sunakara avAka raha ge| unhoMne kalAvatI kI ora dekhaa| vaha nIcI dRSTi kie khar3I thii| usakA rUpa aura lAvaNya AMkhoM ko tRpta karane vAlA thaa| anta:karaNa meM UrmiyoM se bhare kAvya kA jAgaraNa ho, aisA usakA sukumAra vadana thaa| vidyAdhara ne vinayapUrvaka kahA-'rAjan ! merI prArthanA Apa svIkAra kreN| vara kI khoja karate-karate maiM thaka cukA huuN| Apa mujhe nirAza na kreN|' vikrama ne hAtha jor3akara kahA-'ApakI bhAvanA kA maiM satkAra karatA huuN|' vidyAdhara atyanta Anandita huaa| kalAvatI ne tatkAla vikrama ke caraNoM meM mastaka nvaayaa| vidyAdhara ne apanI icchAzakti kA prayoga kiyA aura tInoM tatkAla bAhara A ge| 148 vIra vikramAditya

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bhaTTamAtra khar3A khar3A aneka kalpanAeM kara rahA thaa| vaha vikrama ko eka rUpavatI kanyA aura eka divya puruSa ke sAtha dekhakara Azcaryacakita raha gayA / vikrama bole- 'mitra! tumhArI bhaviSyavANI satya sAbita huI hai|' yaha kahakara unhoMne vidyAdhara dhIra aura usakI putrI kalAvatI kA paricaya diyA / vidyAdhara bolA- 'rAjan ! sAmane vRkSa kI ora dRSTi kreN| vahAM eka divya ratha hai| Apa merI kanyA ko lekara pdhaareN| Aja kA dina uttama hai - maiM ruka nahIM sakatA / ' surUpA kalAvatI pitA se cipaTa gii| pitA ne kahA - 'kalA ! svAmI meM hI sukha-duHkha aura jIvana kA sarvasva hai, yaha mAnakara sukhI rahanA / terI bhAvanA maiMne pUrI kI hai| aba maiM adhika ruka nahIM sakatA - abhI mujhe dUra -dUra ke pradezoM taka jAnA hai / ' ' bhaTTamAtra ne bIca meM kahA - 'mahAtman! Apake varadahasta se kanyAdAna.... vidyAdhara bolA- 'yaha lAbha to mujhe lenA hI hai|' isake bAda pitA-putrI ratha meM baitthe| vikramAditya aura bhaTTamAtra bhI sAtha the| ratha rAjabhavana meM phuNcaa| vikrama ne mahArAnI kamalA ko sArI bAta btaaii| vaha atyanta prasannatA se kalAvatI se milI aura saMdhyAkAla meM avaMtI nagarI meM vivAha kI AyojanA huii| kanyAdAna kI vidhi sampanna kara, alaMkAra Adi kA upahAra dekara vidyAdhara dhIra rAtri ke prathama prahara ke bIta jAne para vahAM se prasthita ho gyaa| sukha aura Ananda ke dina bahuta choTe hote haiN| kaba dina ugatA hai aura kaba asta hotA hai, yaha jJAta hI nahIM hotA / duHkha ke dina lambe hote haiN| eka-eka kSaNa eka yuga jaisA lagatA hai| samaya ke bItane meM koI antara nahIM AtA, kintu jaba duHkha aura sukha kA sparza hotA hai, taba aisA parivartana sahaja hai| rAnI kalAvatI ke rUpa-guNa se mahArAja mugdha ho jAeM, yaha sahaja thAparantu rAnI kamalA bhI atyanta prasanna bana gaI thI / rAnI kalAvatI ke lie alaga nivAsa kA prabandha ho cukA thaa| vaha dina kA adhika samaya devI kamalArAnI ke pAsa meM hI bitAtI thI / ATha dina-rAta bIta ge| vikrama ko aisA pratIta huA ki loga indra ke sukha kI kitanI hI samRddha kalpanA kyoM na kareM, kintu svayaM jo sukhopabhoga kara rahA hai, vaha indra ke sukha se anaMtagunA adhika hai| kintu nauveM dina sukha se chalakate usake hRdaya para eka vajrAghAta huA / avaMtI ke eka dhanADhya sArthavAha ke ghara karor3oM rupayoM ke ratnAlaMkAroM kI corI ho gii| yaha corI bhI mAMtrika cora ne hI kI thii| pUrI nagarI ghabarA utthii| jisa vIra vikramAditya 146

Page #157
sArthavAha kA dhanabhaMDAra itanA surakSita hai, jisake bhavana para AThoM prahara caukIdAra rahate haiM, aise dhanADhya seTha rAjazekhara ke ghara yadi corI hotI hai to bhalA dUsaroM ke ghara kA to kahanA hI kyA? rAjasabhA meM vikrama ke samakSa jaba corI kI yaha phariyAda AyI taba usakA sukha-svapna dhUlisAt ho gyaa| nagararakSaka usa cora ko pakar3ane meM asaphala rahA thaa| rAjya kA guptacara vibhAga bhI nirAza ho cukA thaa| mahAbalAdhikRta, jo virAT senA ke samakSa akele jUjhane meM sakSama thA, vaha bhI isa eka akele cora ko pakar3ane meM akSama pramANita huaa| purAnA mahAmaMtrI buddhisAgara bhI isa cora ke prasaMga meM buddhihIna bana gyaa| _ vikrama kA khUna khaula utthaa| unakI AMkhoM se teja nikalane lgaa| unhoMne sabhA ke samakSa pratijJA ke svaroM meM kahA-'jaba taka cora ko nahIM pakar3A jAegA, taba taka maiM rAjavaibhava kA tyAga kara cora ko pakar3ane ke kArya meM hI juTA rhuuNgaa|' naujavAna rAjA kI udghoSaNA sunakara samagra rAjasabhA avAk raha gii| vikrama ne usI dina se sAdA bhojana karanA prArambha kara diyA thA aura rAtri kA prathama prahara pUrA ho, usase pUrva hI ve akele veza-parivartana kara nagara-caryA ke lie nikala jAte-pUrI rAta ghUmate aura prAta: rAjabhavana meM A jaate| do rAta isa prakAra vyatIta huI aura tIsarI rAta ko bijalI kar3aka utthii| vikrama nagara-bhramaNa se nivRtta hokara prAta:kAla bhavana meM lautte| ve nagararakSaka aura maMtriyoM ko bulAkara cora ke viSaya meM maMtraNA karanA cAhate the| ve jyoM hI snAna Adi se nivRtta hokara, vastra dhAraNa karane laga, taba taka paricArikA hAMphatI huI daur3I-daur3I AyI aura ghabarAtI huI bolI-'kSamAnAtha! Upara padhAreM....' 'kyoM? tU itanI ghabarA kyoM rahI hai?' 'kRpAnAtha! Apa zIghra Upara cleN|' vikrama tatkAla uThe aura paricArikA ke sAtha bhavana kI prathama maMjila para ge| vahAM mahArAnI kamalA atyanta udAsa khar3I thii| priyatamA ko dekhate hI vikrama bole-'priye! tuma itanI udAsa kyoM?' 'mahArAja! akalpita ghaTanA ghaTita ho gaI hai|' 'kyA?' 'mAMtrika cora rAta ko rAjabhavana meM AyA aisA pratIta hotA hai aura vaha naI rAnI kalAvatI kA apaharaNa kara le gayA hai....|' 150 vIra vikramAditya

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'kalA kA apaharaNa?' 'hAM, nAtha! usake palaMga para tAMbe kA eka choTA-sA patra par3A hai, jisa para khopar3I kA cihna hai|' 'oha!' kahakara vikrama ne apane donoM hAthoM se sira dbaayaa| phira ve kamalA ke sAtha vidyAdhara-kanyA kalAvatI ke zayana-gRha meM ge| dekhate hI vikrama kA kalejA kAMpa uThA-saMsAra kI zreSTha sundarI kA palaMga sUnA par3A thaa| jisa palaMga para gulAba ke phUla jaisI priyatamA sotI thI, usa palaMga para kevala eka kauzeya cAdara par3I thI aura eka tAmra kA Tukar3A par3A thaa| usa para khopar3I kI AkRti kuredI huI thii| vikrama ne cAroM ora dekhA-eka jharokhA khulA thaa| vikrama ne socA, vaha cora isI jharokhe se AyA hogA, kintu jharokhA bhUmi se bahuta UMcA thaa| vaha isase kaise A sakatA hai ? bAhara rakSaka paharA dete hI haiM, vaha cora kalAvatI ko lekara kisa rAste se gayA hogA? __ svAmI ko vicAramagna dekhakara kamalA bolI- 'yena-kena-prakAreNa merI bahana kalA ko Apa zIghra mukta kraaeN|' 'devI! rAjalakSmI kA apaharaNa mere jIvana para bhArI kalaMka hai| maiM abhI sabako bulAtA huuN|' ___ 'svAmin ! yaha bAta yadi nagarI meM prasArita hogI to bahuta UhApoha hogA aura zreSThiyoM ke parivAra nagara kA tyAga karane lgeNge|' rAnI ne khaa| - rAnI kI isa bAta meM vikrama ko tathyalagA aura unhoMne mahAmaMtrI, nagararakSaka Adi vizvasta vyaktiyoM ko bulAne kA nirNaya kiyaa| donoM vahAM se bAhara A ge| 31. vikrama kI ArAdhanA koI bhI bAta gupta raha sake, yaha atyanta kaThina hai| hAM, koI vizvasta vyakti lambe samaya taka bAta ko pacAkara rakha sakatA hai athavA do abhinna hRdayoM ke bIca huI bAta eka sImA taka gupta raha sakatI hai, kintu jo bAta chaha kAnoM taka pahuMca jAtI hai, usake pAMkheM A jAtI haiM aura phira na cAhane para bhI vaha ananta AkAza meM ur3ane lagatI hai| ____ mahArAnI kamalA kI bAta tathyapUrNa thI, phira bhI mahArAjA ne mahAmaMtrI, mahApratihAra, nagararakSaka, mahAbalAdhRita, buddhisAgara Adi vyaktiyoM ko rAnI kalAvatI ke apaharaNa kI bAta btaaii| vIra vikramAditya 151

Page #159
vikrama bole-'yaha cora na pakar3A jAe, yaha kevala mere para hI nahIM, samUce rAjataMtra para kalaMka hai aura itane bhArI saMrakSaNa ke pazcAt bhI yadi rAjarAnI kA apaharaNa ho jAtA hai to rAjya kI prajA kI rakSA kaise saMbhava ho sakatI hai?' mahAmaMtrI ne kahA- 'kRpAnAtha! isa ghaTanA ke kAraNa hama bhI prajApAlaka ko muMha dikhAne yogya nahIM raha jaate| ina ATha dinoM meM hamAre rakSakoM ne nagara kA konA-konA chAna DAlA hai| koI bhavana zeSa nahIM rahA hai| avaMtI nagarI ke cAroM ora pAMca-pAMca kosa taka ke gAMva, maMdira, gupta sthala dekhe jA cuke haiM-kintu isa mAMtrika cora ke viSaya meM koI bAta jJAta nahIM ho skii| usake dvArA curAe gae dhana aura kanyAoM kA bhI kahIM atA-patA nahIM lgaa|' 'to kyA hama saba hAtha-para-hAtha rakhakara baiTha jAeM?' vikrama ne khaa| 'nahIM, kRpAnAtha! hamArA prayatna itanA saghana aura prabala hai ki hama pala bhara bhI vizrAma nahIM karate-kintu jaba sAmudAyika karma kA vipAka hotA hai, taba saba lAcAra bana jAte haiN|' nagararakSaka ne khaa| vikrama jAnate the ki rAjataMtra niSkriya nahIM hai| sabhI karmacArI sAvadhAna haiM-phira bhI cora ke viSaya meM kucha bhI jJAta nahIM ho rahA hai| sabhI vicAramagana ho ge| isa vicAra-vimarza meM devI kamalA bhI upasthita thii| usane kahA- 'mahArAja! mujhe eka upAya dIkha rahA hai|' 'priye ! tuma batAo, vaha upAya kyA ho sakatA hai?' 'prANanAtha! yaha cora koI sAmAnya nahIM hai| yaha maMtrazakti yA daivIzakti se sampanna honA caahie| usako vaza meM karane kA ekamAtra upAya hai-maMtrazakti kI aaraadhnaa| Apa niSThApUrvaka tIna dina taka cakrezvarI devI kI ArAdhanA kreN| isase ApakI aura pUre nagara kI cintA dUra ho skegii|' rAnI kamalAvatI kA yaha upAya sabake mana ko bhA gyaa| vikrama ne atiprasanna dRSTi se priyatamA kI ora dekhakara kahA-'priye! yaha ucita upAya hai| kala hI maiM cakrezvarI devI kI ArAdhanA prArambha kara duuNgaa|' naI rAnI kalAvatI ke apaharaNa kI bAta kahIM prakaTa na ho jAe, isa bAta kA nirNaya lete hue sabhI vahAM se uThe-kintu aisI bAteM kyA kabhI gupta raha sakI haiM? madhyAhna taka yaha bAta sAre nagara meM, caurAhe-caurAhe para carcA kA viSaya bana gyii| bAta jaba phailatI hai, taba usake sAtha aneka naI bAteM jur3atI haiM aura isIlie tila kA tAr3a bana jAtA hai| saMdhyA hote-hote nagarI ke aneka zreSThI, rAjaparivAra ke sadasya Adi mahArAjA vikramAditya se milane ke lie Ane lge| 152 vIra vikramAditya

Page #160
dUsare dina prAta: snAna-zuddha hokara vikramAditya annajala kA tyAga kara, bhavana meM sthita zrIjina maMdira ke pAsa cakrezvarI devI ke maMdira meM ArAdhanA ke lie baiTha ge| eka dina aura eka rAta bIta gii| dUsarA dina aura dUsarI rAta bhI bIta gii| tIsarA dina pUrA huA aura rAta aayii| akhaNDa dIpa jala rahA thaa| maMdira ke bAhara do rakSaka sadA rahate the| mahArAnI kamalA bhI dekha-rekha meM saMlagna thii| tIsare dina madhyarAtri ke samaya....| vAtAvaraNa zAnta thaa| gAya ke ghRta kA dIpaka jala rahA thaa| anna-jala ke binA tIna dina bIta rahe the, phira bhI vikrama kI niSThA meM koI antara pratIta nahIM ho rahA thA-cakrezvarI devI kI bhaktipUrvaka ArAdhanA cala rahI thii| rAtri ke tIsare prahara kI do ghaTikAeM bItI hoNgii| usa samaya maMdira meM apUrva prakAza huA aura bhayaMkara jhaMjhAvAta nirmita huA ho, aisI sthiti sAmane aayii| kintu vikrama parAkramI the, kSatriya the, ve aDola baiThe rhe| unake kAnoM para kucha zabda TakarAe- 'vatsa! tumhArI ArAdhanA se maiM prasanna huuN| bolo, tuma kyA cAhate ho? vikrama ! AMkheM kholo!' vikrama ne AMkheM kholIM-cakrezvarI kI aisI tejomaya mUrti thI ki usa para dRSTi bhI nahIM Tika pAtI thii| devI ke donoM hAtha UMce the| vikramAditya ne tatkAla hAtha jor3akara namaskAra kiyaa| devI cakrezvarI bolI-'rAjana! jo cAho mAMga lo|' 'bhagavatI! Apa prasanna huI haiM, yahI mere lie puNya kA udaya hai| mujhe kucha nahIM cAhie, mAM!....eka cora isa nagarI meM bhArI utpAta kara rahA hai, mhaamNglmyii| yaha cora kauna hai, yaha kahAM rahatA hai-basa, itanA mAtra jAnanA cAhatA huuN| Apa kRpA kara btaaeN|' devI ne mRdumaMjula svara meM kahA-'rAjan! yaha cora itanA bhayaMkara hai ki devatA bhI ise pakar3ane meM hicakate haiN| yaha tumhAre rAjya kI abhilASA kara rahA hai-yaha dussAdhya hai|' 'kRpAmayI ! Apa mujhe usakA paricaya batA deM-yadi maiM isa cora ko pakar3akara apanI prajA kA du:kha dUra nahIM kara sakatA to maiM rAjagaddI kA tyAga kara dUMgA / mujhe rAjya kA koI moha nahIM hai aura cora ko pakar3ane ke samaya yadi merI mRtyu bhI ho jAe to vaha sukhada prasaMga hI hogaa|' vIra vikramAditya 153

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'vatsa! isa cora kA pUrA itihAsa suna lo| prAcIna samaya kI bAta hai| isa nagarI meM tumhAre dAdA rAjya karate the| usa samaya dhanezvara nAma kA eka dhanADhya vyakti yahAM rahatA thaa| usakI patnI kA nAma prIti aura putra kA nAma guNasAgara thaa| putra sarvaguNa-sampanna thaa| jaba vaha yuvA huA, taba rUpavatI nAma kI eka zreSThi kanyA se usakA pANigrahaNa huaa| rUpavatI devakanyA ko bhI lajjita karane vAle rUpa-saundarya se yukta thii| vaha guNoM meM bhI zreSTha thii| vivAha ke kucha hI samaya pazcAt guNasAgara sAmudrika vyApAra ke lie paradeza calA gyaa| dhanezvara seTha ke ghara ke pAsa pIpala kA eka vRkSa thaa| usake Azraya meM eka adhama vyaMtara deva nivAsa karatA thaa| vaha vyaMtara guNasAgara kI patnI rUpavatI meM Asakta bana gayA thaa| guNasAgara ko paradeza gayA jAnakara vaha vyaMtara apanI mohAndhatA ko pUrI karane meM tatpara huaa| dasa dina pazcAt guNasAgara kA rUpa banAkara vaha ghara lauTA aura pitA ko namaskAra kara khar3A rhaa| putra ko itanA zIghra AyA dekhakara pitA ko atyanta Azcarya huaa| usane kahA-'guNasAgara! tuma itanI zIghra kaise lauTa Ae? kyA videza meM mana nahIM lagA yA koI vipatti A gaI?' 'pitAjI, aisA kucha bhI nahIM hai| videza-gamana kA merA utsAha jyoM-kAtyoM hai| mArga meM eka jJAnI mahAtmA mile| unhoMne kahA-'vatsa! tu yadi paradeza jAegA to vahAM terI mRtyu ho jaaegii| phira bhI maiM Age jAnA cAhatA thA, parantu munImoM ne mujhe samajhAkara yahAM bheja diyaa| na cAhate hue bhI maiM yahAM A gyaa|' 'bahuta acchA kiyA....dhana hamAre pAsa bahuta hai....kevala anubhava prApta karane ke lie maiMne bhejA thA-kintu aMdhe kI lakar3I ke samAna tuma mere sahayogI ho| yadi tumhArI mauta ho jAtI to hamArI kyA dazA hotI? tumane lauTakara bahuta uttama kAma kiyA hai|' isa prakAra pitA kA prasAda prApta kara guNasAgara-rUpI vyaMtara vahAM rahane lagA aura rUpavatI ke sAtha vividha bhoga bhogane lgaa| vyaMtara kA rUpa sAkSAt guNasAgara jaisA hI thA, isalie rUpavatI ko koI zaMkA nahIM huii| vaha to apane pati ko sarvasva mAnakara hI usakI sevA kara rahI thii| do varSa bIte aura eka dina acAnaka seTha dhanezvara ke pAsa yaha samAcAra pahuMcA ki guNasAgara videza-yAtrA meM puSkala dhana arjita kara ghara lauTa rahA hai| kala nagarI ke parisara meM saba pahuMca jaaeNge| yaha samAcAra sunakara seTha dhanezvara aura samagra pArivArika logoM ko bahuta Azcarya huaa| vyaMtara bhI kaThinAI kA anubhava karane lgaa| usane dhairyapUrvaka pitAzrI se kahA-'pitAzrI ! mere nAma se kauna A rahA hai? nizcita hI koI dasyu yA Thaga honA caahie|' 154 vIra vikramAditya

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dUsare dina nagarI ke parisara meM guNasAgara A phuNcaa| seTha dhanezvara aura vyaMtararUpI guNasAgara usakI agavAnI ke lie ge| dUsare sage-saMbaMdhI bhI sAtha meM the| asalI guNasAgara ko dekhakara sabake Azcarya kA pAra nahIM rhaa| ina donoM meM asalI guNasAgara kauna hai, yaha eka vikaTa prazna upasthita ho gyaa| jo purAnA munIma sAtha meM thA, vaha kAryavaza vahIM ruka gayA thA aura chaha mahIne bAda Ane vAlA thaa| sabake sAmane yahI samasyA thI ki rUpa, liMga, kada, vANI aura cAla-sabhI bAtoM meM donoM samAna the| inameM kauna asalI guNasAgara hai, ise kaise pahacAnA jaae|' pitA ne nahIM pahacAnA, kintu mAM bhI apane asalI putra ko nahIM pahacAna pAyI-rUpazrI bhI bhArI asamaMjasa meM par3a gaI....usakA mana atyanta vyathita aura pIr3ita ho gayA....yadi pravAsa se AyA huA guNasAgara hI vAstavika hai to svayaM eka janma meM do pati karane ke doSa kI bhAgI hogI aura udara meM pAMca mahIne kA garbha pala rahA thaa| rAjA vikrama ! isa prazna kA samAdhAna pAne ke lie sabhI avaMtInAtha ke samakSa upasthita hue| ve bhI asamaMjasa meM par3a ge| asalI guNasAgara ko kaise pahacAnA jAe? rAjya ke buddhimAna mantrI, nyAya-vizArada sabhI vicAra meM phaMsa ge| anta meM Apake pitAmaha rAjA ne yaha Adeza diyA-ina donoM ko eka sthAna para alaga-alaga rakhanA cAhie....pandraha dinoM ke bhItara yaha patA laga jAegA ki asalI guNasAgara kauna hai| rAjAjJA ke anusAra donoM ko rAjA ke eka bhavana meM, alaga-alaga khaNDa meM, rahane ke lie kahA gyaa| idhara rUpavatI atyanta vyathita thii| usane socA, saMbhava hai pravAsa se Ae hue guNasAgara hI asalI svAmI hoM to merI sagarbhAvasthA abhizApa bana jaaegii| isalie usane nagarI kI eka jAnakAra dAyaNa ko bulAkara tatkAla garbhapAta karA DAlA....pAMca mAsa kA garbha jIvayukta thaa| vaha dAyaNa gupta rUpa se usa garbha ko gAMva ke bAhara le gaI aura nagarI se eka kosa dUra ekAnta meM par3I huI mAnava-khopar3I meM rakhakara A gii| usI samaya caMDikA nAma kI eka vidyAdhara devI AkAza-mArga se apane vimAna se jA rahI thii| usakA vimAna isa khopar3I ke Upara Ate hI AkAza meM ruka gyaa| caMDikA devI cauMkI aura usane divyadRSTi se dekhA ki eka aparipakva, sajIva-garbha ke kAraNa vimAna staMbhita huA hai| caMDikA tatkAla vimAna se nIce AyI aura garbha sahita usa mAnava-khopar3I ko le gii| usake mana meM yaha vicAra AyA ki yadi isa garbha kA ucita pAlanapoSaNa ho to yaha prabhAvazAlI aura parAkramI puruSa taiyAra hogaa| vikramAditya devI cakrezvarI kI bAta dhyAnapUrvaka suna rahe the| vIra vikramAditya 155

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32. guphAgRha meM devI cakrezvarI ne vikrama kI ArAdhanA se prasanna hokara mAMtrika cora kA vRttAnta Age sunAte hue kahA- 'rAjan! nagarI kI uttara dizA meM, zmazAna se kucha dUra eka mandira hai| usameM devI caMDikA kI pratiSThA kI huI hai| isa maMdira meM eka gupta bhUgRha hai| devI caMDikA ne isI bhUgRha meM khopar3I sahita garbha ko sAvadhAnI se rakhA aura garbha ke pAlana kI vyavasthA kii| idhara nagarI meM guNasAgara kI patnI rUpavatI lokalajjA aura bhaya kI cintA se mukta ho gii| dAyaNa ne use aisI auSadhi dI ki vaha ATha-dasa dinoM meM hI svastha, sundara aura sudRr3ha ho gii| donoM guNasAgaroM ko najarabanda kie teraha dina bIta cuke the| rAjA yA mantrI kucha bhI nirNaya nahIM kara pA rahe the| kintu mahArAjA kI cintA ko dUra karane ke lie nagara kI zreSTha gaNikA devI cintAmaNi taiyAra huii| vaha mahArAjA ke pAsa AyI aura samasyA kA samAdhAna karanA svIkAra kara liyaa| mahArAjA atyanta prasanna hue| rAjA ne samasyA ke samAdhAna kI bAta batAne ke lie seTha dhanezvara ke parivAra tathA nagara ke anya gaNyamAnya vyaktiyoM ko AmaMtrita kiyaa| sabhI usa sthAna para Ae, jahAM donoM guNasAgara najarabanda the| gaNikA cintAmaNi bhI A gii| cintANi apanI eka dAsI ko lekara bhavana ke bhItara gaI aura donoM guNasAgaroM ko bAhara nikAlakara kahA-'tuma donoM meM kauna asalI guNasAgara hai, isakA nirNaya karanA kaThina hai| phira bhI satya sadA vijayI hotA hai| isa dRSTi se maiM eka upAya kara rahI huuN| maiM eka kamare meM bhItara se sAMkala lagAkara baiTha jaauuNgii| tuma donoM meM se jo binA dvAra khole mere pAsa AegA, vahI sahI guNasAgara hogaa|' yaha kahakara cintAmaNi eka khaNDa meM gii| sArI khir3akiyAM banda kara, daravAje ke bhItara se tAlA lagAkara vaha andara baiTha gii| manuSya binA daravAjA khole andara praveza kara nahIM sakA, isalie asalI guNasAgara asamaMjasa meM phaMsa gayA aura duSTa vyaMtara parama prasanna huaa| vaha kucha hI kSaNoM meM apanI zakti ke prabhAva se bhItara pahuMca gayA aura bolA- 'maiM sahI guNasAgara hUM, satya ne merA sAtha diyA hai|' 'zAbAsa, guNasAgara! tuma vijayI hue ho aura nakalI guNasAgara parAjita huA hai| Ao, maiM sabase pahale tumhAre bhAla-para kuMkuma kA tilaka kruuN|' yaha kahakara gaNikA ne usake bhAla para kuMkuma kA tilaka kiyaa| phira vaha donoM ko lekara bAhara aayii| vahAM mahArAjA Adi sabhI baiThe the| vaha bolI- 'kRpAnAtha! 156 vIra vikramAditya

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asalI guNasAgara kauna hai, yaha nizcaya ho gayA hai| jisake bhAla para tilaka hai, vaha duSTa vyaMtara pratIta hotA hai, vaha doSI hai| ' vyaMtara guNasAgara ghabarA gyaa| rAjapuruSa use pakar3ane Age bar3he, vaha adRzya ho gayA aura pravAsa se AyA huA asalI guNasAgara apane parivAra se jA milaa| samaya bItane lagA / caMDikA kI kRpA se khopar3I meM sthita garbha vRddhiMgata hone lgaa| dhIre-dhIre vaha caMDikA kI dAsiyoM kI goda meM bar3A hone lgaa| caMDikA ne usa bAlaka kA nAma 'kharparaka' rakhA, kyoMki vaha eka mAnava khopar3I meM bar3A huA thA / dina bItane lge| vaha bar3A huaa| eka ora vaha vyaMtara kA bIja thA, dUsarI ora caMDikA kI kRpA thI / kharparaka ATha varSa kA huA, taba caMDikA use vividha dezoM meM ghumA laayii| jaba vaha caubIsa varSa kA huA taba caMDikA ne use isa bhUgRha meM rakhA aura varadAna dete hue kahA-'vatsa! isa guphAgRha meM hI terI mRtyu ho skegii| isake atirikta kisI bhI sthAna meM tujhe koI nahIM mAra skegaa|' itanA kahakara devI ne use eka divya talavAra dI aura kahA - 'vatsa ! isa talavAra se tU mahAnatama vIroM ko parAjita kara skegaa|' caMDikA kI kRpA se samRddha banakara kharparaka bhUgRha meM rahane lgaa| usane adRzya hone Adi kI aneka upalabdhiyAM prApta kara lIM / anta meM kharparaka ke mana meM avaMtI kA rAjya har3apane tathA sundara striyoM ke sAtha vivAha karane kA vicAra ubhraa| sAtha-sAtha usameM lobhavRtti bhI jAgRta huii| vaha apanI viziSTa zaktiyoM kA upayoga karane lagA / vaha corI, apaharaNa karane meM mAhira ho gyaa| rAjan ! usa kharparaka cora hI ApakI patnI kA apaharaNa kiyA hai aura pAMcoM striyoM ko bhUgRha meM rakhA hai| yaha cora caMDikA ke varadAna se ajeya banA huA hai| isako pakar3a pAnA yA mAranA kisI ke vaza kI bAta nahIM hai / ' 'vikrama ne kahA - 'kRpAmayI ! Apa mere para prasanna huI haiN| mujhe aura kucha nahIM cAhie / merI prajA isa cora ke trAsa se mukta ho, yahI merI Antarika abhilASA hai| ApakI zaraNa meM AyA huuN| yadi cora ajeya hI rahA to phira... ' 'vatsa ! tumhArI manokAmanA ko maiM samajhatI huuN| kintu yaha cora caMDikA ke varadAna se ajeya bana cukA hai.... tuma dhairya rakhakara eka bAra usakI khoja kara lo....usake bhU-gRha meM praveza kara jAo....tuma bAhara usake sAtha kisI prakAra se mata bhidd'naa| usakI mRtyu kA upAya kevala usake guphAgRha meM hI hai|' vikrama bole- 'mahAdevI! maiM Apake darzana se dhanya bana gayA / kintu usa cora kI pahacAna kyA hai ?' cakrezvarI devI bolI- 'vaha cora kharparaka pratidina rAtri ke pahale prahara meM avaMtI nagarI meM AtA hai.... parantu vaha itanA cAlAka hai ki pratyeka vIra vikramAditya 157

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bAra vaha naye-naye rUpa dhAraNa karatA hai aura jaba vaha corI karane yA apaharaNa kara jAtA hai taba adRzya ho jAtA hai| tuma pratidina nagaracaryA meM jAte rahanA....vaha vividha rUpa meM tumheM milegaa| parantu eka pahacAna hai ki kharparaka cAhe kisI bhI rUpa ko dhAraNa kare, usake bAeM hAtha meM lohe kA eka kar3A avazya hogaa| isa AdhAra para usakI pahacAna kara, tuma usake pIche-pIche cale jAnA aura usake gupta sthAna ko dekhakara A jaanaa| kharparaka pratidina kucha-na-kucha nayI cIjeM kharIdakara le jAtA hai|' vikrama ne devI ko sASTAMga praNAma kiyaa| devI AzIrvAda dekara adRzya ho gii| tIna dina-rAta kI ArAdhanA pUrNa ho cukI thii| prAta:kAla vikrama mandira se bAhara nikle| usa samaya mahArAnI kamalA bAhara hI khar3I thii| usane svAmI kA satkAra kiyaa| svAmI ke cehare ko dekhakara vaha samajha gaI thI ki tIna dina taka upavAsI rahane para bhI svAmI ke vadana para prasannatA krIr3A kara rahI hai, isase pratIta hotA hai ki sAdhanA kA supariNAma avazya AtA hai| patnI ko premapUrNa dRSTi se dekhate hue mahArAjA vikrama ne kahA-'priye! merI sAdhanA phalavatI huI hai| ___ vahAM khar3e rakSakoM ne mahArAjA kA jayanAda kiyaa| vahAM se vikrama bhavana meM ge| tele kI tapasyA kA pAraNA kiyA aura mahArAnI kamalA ko cakrezvarI devI kI sArI bAta saMkSepa meM btaaii| thor3e samaya pazcAt sabhI mantrI A ge| mahArAjA vikrama ne kharparaka cora kI sArI bAta batAI aura use pakar3ane ke upAyoM kI carcA kii| vikrama veza-parivartana kara rAtri ke prathama prahara meM nagaracaryA ke lie nikle| cauthe dina unhoMne dekhA ki eka ajanabI vyakti halavAI kI dukAna se miThAI kharIda rahA hai| usake hAtha meM lohe kA kar3A thaa| miThAI lekara vaha AdamI claa| vikrama bhI usake pIche-pIche pUrNa sAvacetI se cle| nagarI se bAhara Akara vikrama aura adhika saceta ho gae aura usake pIche calate rahe....vaha vyakti mAMtrika cora kharparaka hI thaa| vaha caMDikA ke maMdira ke nikaTa aayaa| mandira ke pichale bhAga ke bhU-gRha meM vaha praviSTa huA aura dvAra banda kara liyaa| vikrama sthAna kA pUrA nirNaya kara tatkAla lauTa gyaa| dUsare dina vikrama eka daridra kSatriya kA veza dhAraNa kara kharparaka ke Ane ke mArga para baiTha gyaa| yathA-samaya kharparaka naye rUpa meM bhU-gRha se bAhara nikalA aura mastI se nagara kI ora claa| 158 vIra vikramAditya

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isI mArga para eka caTTAna para vikrama daridra kSatriya ke veza meM baiThe the| unhoMne rAtri ke saghana aMdhakAra meM bhI kharparaka ko pahacAna liyaa| kharparaka jaba nikaTa AyA taba vikrama ne khar3e hokara hAtha jor3akara prArthanA kI-'bhAgyazAlI kI jaya ho| maiM eka garIba paradezI hUM....tIna dina se bhUkhA hUM.... mere para dayA kareM....prabhu ApakI manokAmanA pUrNa kreNge|' 'yahAM kyoM baiThe ho?' kharparaka ne puuchaa| 'kahAM baiTUM, mahArAja! na merA koI sthAna hai, na makAna hai aura na pAsa meM eka kaur3I hai| sAmane mAtAjI kA eka mandira hai, vahAM pUjA karane gayA thA, kintu vahAM na koI pujArI milA aura na koI prasAda prApta huA, isalie bhUkhA-pyAsa yahAM Akara baiThA huuN|' kharparaka ne pUchA-'kisa jAti ke ho?' 'mahArAja! jAti se kSatriya hUM...kintu durbhAgya se saba kucha gaMvA baiThA huuN|' 'cala mere sAtha nagarI meM....lauTate hue merA kucha sAmAna to Dhokara le AegA?' 'dhanya ho, mahArAja! jarUra hI ApakA sAmAna Dho lAUMgA...kintu maiM bhUkhA huuN|' "nizcinta hokara mere pIche-pIche A jA....' kahakara kharparaka Age bddh'aa| thor3e samaya ke pazcAt donoM ne nagarI meM praveza kiyaa| sabase pahale kharparaka ne eka halavAI kI dUkAna se miThAI kA eka karaMDaka bharavAyA aura daridra vezadhArI vikrama ko miThAI khAne ke lie dii| phira vaha eka madya kI dUkAna meM gayA aura vahAM se madya kA eka ghar3A kharIdakara vikrama se bolA-'tU yahAM baiThakara miThAI khA le aura isa karaMDaka aura bhAMDa ko pAsa meM rakha, maiM kucha hI samaya meM lauTa aauuNgaa|' / ___ 'jaya ho! jaya ho! mahArAja, maiM yahIM baiThakara ApakI pratIkSA karatA huuN|' vikrama ne khaa| kharparaka eka galI meM gayA aura adRzya hokara eka jauharI ke ghara meM ghusaa| rAtri kA dUsarA prahara cala rahA thaa| kharparaka ne jauharI ke ratna-bhaMDAra se bahumUlya ratnoM kI eka poTalI bAMdhI aura ghara se bAhara A gyaa| ___ jauharI ke ghara ke sadasya jAgate baiThe the aura bAteM kara rahe the| kintu unako isa corI kA patA nahIM claa| ratnoM kI poTalI kamara meM bAMdhakara kharparaka usa sthAna para AyA, jahAM vikrama pratIkSA meM baiThA thaa| usane vaha miThAI svayaM na khAkara eka kutte ko khilA dii| vIra vikramAditya 156

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kharparaka bolA- 'cala, ina donoM vastuoM ko utthaa|' vikrama madyabhAMDa ko sira para rakha aura miThAI ke karaMDaka ko hAtha meM lekara kharparaka cora ke pIche-pIche claa| nagarI ke bAhara nikalakara kharparaka ne pUchA-'are! terA nAma kyA hai?' "vikramo!' 'are nAma to sarasa hai, mAlavapati kA nAma bhI vikramAditya hai|' 'bApU! sabake apane-apane karma hote haiN| kahAM to maiM vikramo aura kahAM vikrama!' AdhI rAta ke bAda donoM guphAgRha ke dvAra para pahuMca ge| kharparaka ne kahA, 'tU yahIM baitth| maiM ye andara rakhakara AtA huuN|' 'bApU! Apa kyoM kaSTa karate haiM, Aja to mere sone kA sUraja ugA hai| Apa kaheM, vahIM maiM inheM rakha duuNgaa|' 'nahIM, tU yahIM baitth|' kahakara kharparaka ne guphA kA dvAra kholA aura madyabhAMDa aura miThAI kA karaMDaka lekara andara gyaa| vikrama ko devI cakrezvarI kI bAta yAda thii| isa tAMtrika cora kI mRtyu isa guphA ke atirikta dUsare sthAna meM ho nahIM sktii| guphAgRha meM jAne ke pazcAt kharparaka apane mUla rUpa meM A jAtA hai| isa svarNa avasara ko nahIM khonA caahie| jo avasara ko kho detA hai, vaha pIche pachatAtA hai| yaha socakara vikrama bhI guphAgRha meM praviSTa huaa| vaha kucha sopAna dhIre-dhIre nIce utraa| vaha isa guphAgRha se anajAna thaa| kucha dUra utarane para usake kAnoM meM kucha zabda TakarAye-koI paraspara bAtacIta kara rahA thaa| vahAM prakAza bhI dRSTigocara huaa| vikrama ne dekhA ki choTA dikhAI dene vAlA guphAgRha bhItara se atyanta vizAla aura bhavya hai, kama-se-kama usameM pAMca-chaha kakSa avazya hone caahie| vikrama eka ora chipakara khar3A ho gayA aura kyA bAtacIta ho rahI hai, use dhyAna se sunane lgaa| 33. rakta kA phavvArA guphAgRha ke AbhyaMtara khaNDa se cAroM zreSThI kanyAeM bAhara AyIM aura kharparaka ko dekhakara eka kanyA bolI, 'kharparaka! tuma kitane nirdayI ho| hamArI karuNAbharI prArthanAoM aura AMsuoM se bhI tumhArA dila nahIM pighlaa| hameM pratIta hotA hai ki tumhAre bhItara manuSya kA nahIM, rAkSasa kA kalejA hai|' 'bakavAsa banda karo-kyA maiM tumheM bhUkhA-pyAsA rakhatA hUM?' 160 vIra vikramAditya

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'yadi tuma hameM bhUkhe mAra DAlate to acchA hotaa| isa kArAvAsa seto maranA acchA hai, jisase isa nArakIya jIvana se chuTakArA to ho jaataa|' kharparaka haMsate hue bolA, 'aba adhika pratIkSA nahIM karanI pdd'egii| tuma sabane merI zakti kA andAjA to lagA hI liyA hogA? avaMtInAtha kI naI rAnI ko bhI tumhAre sAtha hI rakhA hai| aba do sundariyAM aura lAnI haiN| eka-do saptAha ke bhItara maiM do rUpavatI kanyAoM ko le AUMgA, phira avaMtInAtha kI hatyA kara mAlavadeza kA adhipati bana jAUMgA aura sAtoM rUpasiyoM ke sAtha vivAha kara svarga-sukha kA anubhava kruuNgaa|' cAroM meM se eka kanyA bolI, 'oha! guphAgRha meM corI-chipe rahane vAle eka cora ko siMhAsana cAhie? kharparaka! tumhArA yaha svapna kabhI pUrA nahIM ho paaegaa| tuma hameM mukta kara do| tumane rAnI kalAvatI kA apaharaNa kiyA hai| tuma nahIM jAnate hamAre pratApI mahArAjA vikrama ke parAkrama ko| ve tumheM pAtAla meM bhI khoja leMge aura Tukar3e-Tukar3e kara tumheM yamaloka pahuMcA deNge|' kharparaka jora se haMsa pdd'aa| vaha bolA, 'avaMtI kA pratApI rAjA! usakI bhujAoM meM kitanA bala hai, maiMne jAna liyaa| usakI sundara rAnI ko maiM uThA lAyA, yaha kyA kama bAta hai ? aba cupacApa andara calI jaao|' tIsarI kanyA bolI- 'kharparaka! hama tumhAre sAtha lar3anA nahIM cAhatIM, tumheM jo karanA hai, vaha karo, kintu hameM chor3a do| rAnI kalAvatI ne yahAM Ane ke pazcAt abhI taka anna-jala grahaNa nahIM kiyA hai| hama bhI kala prAta:kAla se anna-jala kA tyAga kreNgii|' 'are! tuma saba eka saptAha taka dhairya rkho| tuma sabane dekhA hai ki mere pAsa kitanI sampatti hai| jo sampatti aura vaibhava vikrama ke pAsa nahIM hai, vaha mere pAsa hai| maiM tuma sabako sukhI banA duuNgaa|' 'kharparaka ! tumhAre pAsa jo dhana hai, vaha tumhAre puNya kA phala nahIM hai| yaha curAyA huA dhana hai| isa dhana se sukha kahAM milegA? yadi tuma hameM mukta nahIM karoge, to hama pAMcoM kala se anna-jala kA tyAga kara deNgii|' ___ 'kanyAoM ! maiMne Aja taka tumhAre sAtha kisI prakAra kA abhadra vyavahAra nahIM kiyA, kyoMki kucha hI samaya ke bAda maiM sabake sAtha vidhivat vivAha karane vAlA huuN| yadi tuma saba kala se anna-jala tyAga karogI to maiM apanI maryAdA ko bhaMga kara apanI kAma-vAsanA ko zAMta kruuNgaa|' ___ cAroM kanyAeM bhaya se kAMpane lagI aura usI samaya daridra vezadhArI vikrama Age bar3hakara bolA, 'mahArAja kI jaya ho|' vIra vikramAditya 161

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'kauna hai tU?' vikrama ne kharparaka kI ora dekhA / kharparaka kA rUpa parivartita thaa| vaha jaba nagarI meM gayA thA, taba vaha kRtrima rUpa se gayA thA, kintu guphAgRha meM pahuMcate hI usane apanA mUla rUpa banA liyA thA-devI caMDikA kA aisA varadAna thaa| vikrama bolA- 'are! tuma kauna ho?' merI majadUrI die binA, mujhe bAhara biThAkara eka vyakti andara AyA thA, vaha kahAM gayA hai?' 'are! maiM vahI hUM....kintu tU merI AjJA ke binA andara kaise A gayA?' _ 'tuma to koI cora pratIta ho rahe ho| mujhe sAtha lekara AyA thA, vaha to bahuta sajjana manuSya thaa|' 'are o bhikhArI! vAcAla mata bana, anythaa....|' bIca meM hI vikrama bola uThA- 'maiM kSatriya huuN| merI majadUrI de de, anyathA jo karUMgA, vaha bhugatanA pdd'egaa|' cAroM kanyAeM isa anajAna daridra manuSya kI himmata dekhakara avAk raha giiN| kharparaka roSa se bhara gyaa| usane cAroM kanyAoM se kahA, 'tuma saba apane kakSa meM calI jaao| mere guphAgRha meM Ane vAlA koI jIvita nahIM raha sktaa|' kanyAeM bhItara calI giiN| kharparaka ne isa daridra-vezadhArI vikrama kI ora dekhakara kahA, 'terI majadUrI ! Thahara, abhI tere rakta se cukAtA huuN|' vikrama ne mana-hI-mana socA, devI ke varadAna se zaktizAlI banA huA yaha kharparaka yadi sAvaceta ho gayA to sambhava hai, yahAM se adRzya ho jaae| Aja acchA avasara milA hai, isa avasara ko gaMvAnA mUrkhatA hogI, kintu pahale isake krodha ko pracaNDa karanA caahie| krodha manuSya kA sabase bar3A zatru hai| krodha buddhi, smRti aura viveka ko naSTa karatA hai| vikrama bolA- 'are ! tuma to varNasaMkara lagate ho, anyathA eka kSatriya ke samakSa aisI mUrkhatApUrNa bAteM nahIM krte| maiM garIba hUM, choTA hUM, kintu hUM eka kSatriya / mujhe mArakara rakta bahAne vAle ko pahale apanA rakta bahAnA hogA, samajhe? mujhe merI majadUrI de do|' aisA kahate-kahate vikrama khisakakara madyabhAMDa ke pAsa pahuMca gyaa| . 'mujhe pratIta hotA hai ki terI mauta tujhe yahAM khIMca lAyI hai ? tU mujhe nahIM pahacAnatA, isIlie isa prakAra bola rahA hai|' kharparaka ne krodha meM khaa| ___ 'maiM tumheM pahacAnatA huuN| tuma eka apahartA ho, pAgala cora ho| jaba saba nidrAdhIna ho jAte haiM, taba tuma corI karate ho| jaba kanyAeM soyI rahatI haiM, taba tuma 162 vIra vikramAditya

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unakA apaharaNa karate ho| isameM tumhArI kyA bahAdurI hai? yadi kisI bahAdura manuSya se mukAbalA hotA, to tumheM mAM kA dUdha yAda A jaataa|' 'oha zaitAna ! kutte ! tU mere kaleje meM Aga lagA rahA hai|' yaha kahakara kharparaka khUMTI para TaMgI huI apanI talavAra sNbhaalii| kharparaka kI AMkheM atyanta lAla ho cukI thiiN| vaha apanI talavAra myAna-mukta kare, usase pahale hI vikrama ne madya kA bhAMDa kharparaka para pheNkaa| kharparaka ke hAtha se talavAra chUTakara jamIna para gira pdd'ii| madya kA bhAMDa phUTa gyaa| kharparaka kA zarIra madya se lipta ho gayA aura sArA kakSa madirAmaya bana gyaa| kharparaka ne nIce jhukakara talavAra utthaaii| vikrama ne apane zarIra para lapeTe hue cIthar3e utAra pheMke aura vaha mUla veza meM A gyaa| usane apanI kamara para laTakI huI talavAra ko myAnamukta kiyA / kharparaka krodha ke Aveza se pAgala bana gayA thaa| vaha kar3akara bolA- 'tU kauna hai ?' vikrama bolA- 'maiM vikrama hUM, terI mauta !' 'vikramo se vikrama bana gayA ? kintu Aja terA zarIra merI talavAra kA bhoga banegA / tU apane iSTadeva kA smaraNa kara le|' 'are duSTa ! pApI ! zaitAna ! tU apane pApoM ko yAda kara / Aja tU mere hAthoM mArA jAyegA / Aja taka tUne kevala nirdoSa aura soye vyaktiyoM ko hI pIr3ita kiyA hai, kintu kisI vIra se mukAbalA nahIM huaa| uThA apane isa lohe ke Tukar3e komaiM prahAra karUM, isase pUrva tujhe prahAra karane kA avasara detA huuN|' vikrama ne kahA / 'are o paradezI ! tujhe itanA abhimAna hai ? tU merI pracaNDa zakti kA apamAna kara rahA hai| le, aba tU apane kAla kA grAsa bana / ' yaha kahakara kharparaka apanI talavAra ghumAtA huA vikrama kI ora Age bddh'aa| vikrama ne eka chalAMga lagAkara kharparaka ke pahale prahAra ko vyartha kara DAlA / krodha ke Avega se hAMphatA huA kharparaka apane vega ko saMbhAla nahIM sakA aura vaha madirA ke kIcar3a meM phisalakara nIce gira pdd'aa| vikrama haMsa pdd'aa| vaha bolA, 'kAla kI jhapaTa ! nAdAna ! uTha aura tatkAla guphA se bAhara calA jA / ' 'oha!' kahakara kharparaka uThA aura ghAyala siMha kI bhAMti vikrama para jhpttaa| vikrama bolA- 'pAgala ! saMbhala jA / yaha rajapUtI prahAra hai, kabhI niSphala nahIM jAtA / ' vIra vikramAditya 163

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vikrama kI ora bar3hate hue kharparaka ne bhayaMkara aTTahAsa kiyaa| vikrama ne guphA ko prakaMpita karane vAlA siMhanAda kiyA aura kharparaka kI talavAra ke Tukar3e kara DAle / kharparaka kI talavAra ke do Tukar3e jamIna para par3e the| kharparaka vismita hokara unheM dekhane lagA / kharparaka tatkAla bhItarI khaNDa kI ora daur3A, jahAM devI caMDikA dvArA pradatta divya khaDga rakhA huA thaa| vikrama ne agnivaitAla ko yAda kiyaa| agnivaitAla kI kAlAvadhi pUrI ho cukI thI / kharparaka apanA divya khaDga lekara Ae, usase pUrva hI agnivaitAla vahAM A phuNcaa| Ate hI usane kahA - 'mahArAja kI jaya ho| Apane mujhe yathAsamaya yAda kiyA hai| yaha duSTa kharparaka divya khaDga lekara aayegaa| usa khaDga ke samakSa koI nahIM Tika sktaa| kintu Apa dhairyavAn haiN| Apa use chakAte raheM, phira maiM apanI karAmAta dikhaauuNgaa|' 'kRtajJa hUM mitra !' vikrama ne kahA / itane meM hI yama ke vAhana bhaiMse - jaisA kharparaka hAtha meM divya khaDga lekara bhISaNa garjanA karatA huA vahAM A gyaa| 'are duSTa! dUsarA lohakhaNDa le AyA ?' vikrama ne lalakArate hue kahA / 'yaha lohakhaNDa nahIM hai, terA kAla hai| mere isa khaDga ke samakSa indra bhI nahIM Thahara skte|' kahate hue kharparaka ne vikrama para prahAra kiyA / kintu khaDga-yuddha meM nipuNa vikrama ne kharparaka ke prahAra ko vyartha kara diyaa| devI caMDikA ke khaDga kA prahAra vyartha huA dekhakara kharparaka atyanta kruddha hokara phuphakAra utthaa| usakI nAsikA phUla uThI aura usakI AMkhoM se aMgAre barasane lage / vikrama jAnatA thA ki jaba taka kharparaka ke hAtha meM divya khaDga hai, taba taka usako parAjita nahIM kiyA jA sktaa| isalie agnivaitAla kI sUcanA ke anusAra vikrama ne usako aura adhika thakAne aura chakAne ke lie maMDala - vyUha kI racanA kii| kharparaka ke pAsa zaktizAlI divya khaDga thA, kintu vaha isa bAta se ajAna thA ki kisa prakAra ke vyUha-yuddha meM kaise lar3A jAtA hai| phira bhI vaha apane Apako mahAn yoddhA samajhatA thA / maNDala - vyUha ke kAraNa kharparaka do-tIna bAra girategirate saMbhalA / vikrama usako thakA rahA thaa| agnicaitAla adRzya rahakara yaha saMgrAma dekha rahA thaa| usane dekhA ki kharparaka thaka gayA hai aura vikrama prasanna haiM, usane adRzya rUpa se hI daivI khaDga kA apaharaNa kara use vikrama ke hAthoM meM sauMpa diyA aura vikrama kA khaDga kharparaka ke hAtha meM de diyaa| 164 vIra vikramAditya

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kharparaka kucha bhI samajha nahIM skaa| svayaM ke hAtha se khaDga nIce kaise girA, yaha eka Azcarya bana gyaa| usane vikrama kI talavAra utthaaii| vaha use bahuta halkI lagI / usane dekhA-devI caMDikA kA khaDga vikrama ke hAtha meM hai, yaha kaise huA ? kharparaka mana-hI- -mana jhuMjhalA uThA aura guphA meM chipane ke lie daudd'aa| usI samaya vikrama ne lalakArate hue kahA- 'are ! tU kisa AdhAra para ahaM kara rahA thA ? mauta se Darane vAlA kyA avaMtI kA nAtha bana sakatA hai ? kAyara ! idhara A aura apane bAhubala kA paricaya de / ' vikrama kI lalakAra se kharparaka tilamilA utthaa| vaha bolA, 'are bhikhArI ! mujhe tere para dayA A gayI thii| para niyati hai ki terI mauta A gaI hai|' donoM ke madhya talavAra-yuddha prAraMbha huA - kintu yaha yuddha mAtra do kSaNa taka TikA / vikrama ne eka hI prahAra se kharparaka ke hAtha kI talavAra ke Tukar3e-Tukar3e kara DAle / vikrama ne bhI daivI khaDga ko eka ora pheMkate hue kahA - 'ni:zastra vyakti para zastra-prahAra karanA kAyaratA kA sUcaka hai|' parantu kharparaka usa daivI khaDga ko lene daudd'aa| vikrama jAna gyaa| kharparaka usa khaDga ke nikaTa pahuMce, usase pUrva hI vikrama ne kharparaka ko bAhupAza meM jakar3akara khaNDa ke madhya lA paTakA / kharparaka kI AMkhoM ke sAmane aMdherA chA gyaa| usane mana-hI-mana socA, eka bhikhArI kI bhujAoM meM itanI zakti! kharparaka himmata kara uThA aura tar3akakara bolA- 'tU bhikhArI nahIM hai, koI chadmavezI hai|' 'bhikhArI to tU hai| maiM vikramAditya hUM, jisakA rAjya har3apane kI bAta tU soca rahA hai, jisake nagara kI cAra kanyAoM aura rAjalakSmI kA tUne apaharaNa kiyA hai / ' 'oha! taba to merA zikAra mere ghara svayaM hI A gayA hai| acchA huA', kahakara kharparaka puna: dahAr3A aura usane apanI kamara meM baMdhI kaTAra nikaalii| vikrama ke pAsa koI zastra nahIM thA / kharparaka kaTAra kA prahAra karane ke lie uThA para vikrama ne capalatA se usakA hAtha pakar3akara itanA jora se dhakkA mArA ki kharparaka jamIna para luDhaka gyaa| vikrama usakI chAtI para car3ha baiThA / kharparaka abhI bhI sAvadhAna thaa| usane vikrama kI chAtI meM kaTAra bhoMkane kA vicAra kiyA / vaha apane vicAra ko kriyAnvita kare, usase pUrva hI vikrama ne kharparaka ke gale para pAsa meM par3e daivI khaDga kA prahAra kara DAlA / rakta kA phavvArA Upara uchalA - kucha tar3apakara kharparaka ne prANa tor3a die| adRzya vaitAla prakaTa hokara bolA- 'mahArAja kI jaya ho| Apane Aja eka mahAn kArya kiyA hai|' vikrama bolA- 'mitra ! tumhArI kRpA kA hI yaha pariNAma hai|' vIra vikramAditya 165

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34. mastaka-zUla vikrama ne daivI khaDga ke do Tukar3e karate hue kahA-'mitra! aise bhayaMkara zastra kA naSTa honA hI acchA hai|' 'mahArAja! yaha daivI zastra surakSita rakhane yogya thaa| khaira, aba hama bhItara ke khaNDa meM cleN|' agnivaitAla ne khaa| donoM bhItara ge| eka khaNDa meM nagara kI cAroM zreSThI kanyAeM aura rAnI kalAvatI AzcaryavimUr3ha hokara baiThI thiiN| apane svAmI ko Ate dekhakara kalAvatI uTha baitthii| vikrama ne patnI kA hAtha pakar3akara kahA-'priye, merA yaha mahAna mitra yadi sahayoga nahIM karatA, to Aja kyA pariNAma AtA, usakI kalpanA taka nahIM kI jA sktii|' kalAvatI svAmI ke tejasvI vadana kI ora dekhatI rhii| phira vikrama aura vaitAla ne corI ke mAla vAlA bhaNDAra dekhakara sAre guphAgRha kI chAnabIna kii| "mitra! aba hameM ina bAlAoM ko lekara yahAM se jAnA caahie| pratIta hotA hai ki rAtri kA aMtima prahara aba samApta hone vAlA hI hai|' vikrama ne khaa| 'Apa pAMcoM striyoM ko lekara cleN| maiM samUcA khajAnA Apake bhavana meM pahuMcA detA huuN|' agnivaitAla ne khaa| ___ 'prAta:kAla nagararakSaka AegA aura sArA sAmAnale jaaegaa| tuma hamAre sAtha hI clo|' "to phira mujhe jAne kI AjJA deN|' 'kyoM? Atithya svIkAra nahIM karoge?' 'Atithya to jaba kabhI mAMga luuNgaa| parantu abhI eka upAdhi khar3I ho gaI hai|' 'upAdhi! tuma jaise samartha ke lie?' 'mahArAja! kahate kucha lajjA kA anubhava ho rahA hai| mere mana meM vivAha karane kI icchA utpanna huI hai|' 'vAha! isameM upAdhi kaisI? vaha bhAgyazAlinI kauna hai?' 'maiM mainAka parvata para gayA thaa| merI jAti kI hI eka sundarI mila gaI hai|' vaitAla bolaa| 'vAha mitra! yaha to Ananda kI bAta hai| vivAha ke samaya mujhe bhUla to nahIM jAoge?' 'yahI to upAdhi hai|' agnivaitAla bolaa| 166 vIra vikramAditya

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'kyoM?' 'hamAre pradeza meM manuSya praveza nahIM kara sktaa|' 'oha! taba to....|' 'Apake AzIrvAda se hI mujhe santoSa mAnanA hogaa|' vaitAla bolaa| usake pazcAt pAMcoM sundariyoM ke sAtha vikrama guphA se bAhara aaye| vikrama aura pAMcoM striyoM ko rAjabhavana meM pahuMcAkara agnivaitAla adRzya ho gyaa| 'mahArAjA vikramAditya kharparaka cora ko mArakara nagarI kI cAroM kanyAoM ko lekara A gae haiM' - yaha bAta nagara meM cAroM ora phaila gii| dina kA pahalA prahara pUrA ho, usase pUrva hI hajAroM nagara-jana mahArAjA ko dhanyavAda dene aae| nagarI kI cAroM kanyAoM ko unake mAM-bApa ko sauMpa diyA gayA aura sUryAsta se pUrva kharparaka ne jina-jinakA mAla lUTA thA, vaha sArA sAmAna una-una adhikArI vyaktiyoM ko de diyA gyaa| rAnI kamalAvatI ne choTI bahana kalAvatI ko gale lagAkara sArI bAta puuchii| mahArAjA vikramAditya ne bhI rAtri ke samaya apanI donoM priyatamAoM ko kharparaka ke sAtha hue saMgrAma kI bAta btaaii| nagarI meM Ananda chA gyaa| 'vIra vikrama apane jIvana ko khatare meM DAlakara bhI prajA kI rakSA karate haiM' yaha bAta sAre rAjya meM phaila gii| koI bhI bAta jaba eka gAMva se dUsare gAMva, eka deza se dUsare deza meM pahuMcatI hai, taba vaha aura adhika vistRta hotI jAtI hai| vIra vikrama ke parAkrama kI yaha ghaTanA anyAnya kalpanAoM se vistRta hotI huI sAre rAjya meM gUMjane lgii| dina bItane lge| bAta-hI-bAta meM chaha mahIne bIta ge| vIra vikrama apane rAjakArya tathA donoM priyAoM meM itane tallIna ho gae ki mahArAjA zAlivAhana kI ekAkI putrI-priyatamA sukumArI ko bhUla ge| pravRtti-bahulatA AdamI ko atIta se dUra khIMca lAtI hai| vIra vikrama ne sukumArI se chaha mAsa ke bhItara-bhItara lauTa Ane kA vAdA kiyA thA, para Aja ve ise pUrNa vismRta kara cuke the| pratiSThAnapura meM devI sukumArI pitA ke rAjabhavana meM raha rahI thii| usakA svAsthya ThIka thaa| aba prasUti ke kevala do-cAra dina zeSa haiM, aisA laga rahA thaa| kintu usakA mana atyanta cintaagrstthaa| svayaM ke kalAkAra svAmI abhI pravAsa se lauTe nahIM the aura koI saMdeza bhI nahIM milA thaa| usakA hRdaya TUTa rahA thaa| vaha vIra vikramAditya 167

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socatI-kyA puruSa apanI ardhAMginI ko bhUlane meM hI apanA puruSArtha mAnate haiM? kyA svAmI baMgadeza meM pahuMcakara vahAM kisI navayauvanA ke nayanabaMdhana meM baMdha gae haiM? putrI kI manovyathA ko dUra karane kA prayatna usakI mAM, pitA aura sakhiyoM ne karanA cAhA, kintu koI prayatna saphala nahIM huaa| nArI ke hRdaya meM sabase bar3A prazna hotA hai pati kaa| sukumArI kI vyathA uttarottara bar3hatI gii| pati ke abhAva meM vaha apane Apako zUnya mAnane lgii| use sadA pati kI hI smRti aatii| use lagatA ki pati ke abhAva meM vaha pagalA jaaegii| isa prakAra darda, vyathA aura AzvAsana ke bIca eka dina sUryodaya ke samaya usane putra ratna ko janma diyaa| putrotpatti kA zubha samAcAra sunakara mahArAjA zAlivAhana ne yAcakoM ko dAna diyaa| sukumArI kA putra atyanta sundara thaa| usakA pratyeka aMga-pratyaMga zubha lakSaNoM kA sUcaka thaa| savA mahIne ke pazcAt jaba jyotiSI ne usa navajAta zizu kI janma-patrikA banAI taba usakI mAtA tathA nAnA-nAnI ko bahuta prasannatA huI; kyoMki navajAta zizu kI janma kuMDalI meM rAjayoga thA aura parAkrama kA yoga bhI thaa| zizu kA nAma devakumAra rakhA gyaa| samaya ke aise paMkha hote haiM ki vaha kaba ur3atA hai aura kaba virAma letA hai, koI nahIM jAna paataa| chaha mahIne dekhate-dekhate bIta ge| sukumArI apane priya putra ke lAlana-pAlana meM itanI tallIna ho gaI ki use samaya bItane kA bhAna hI nahIM rhaa| ___ mAtRtva kI maMgala-yAcanA strI ke jIvana meM vAtsalya ke sAgara ko prakaTa karatI hai| isa sAgara kI laharoM meM strI saba kucha bhUla jAtI hai aura apane hRdaya kI samagratA apane putra meM ur3ela detI hai| ___ phira bhI nArI apane priyatama ko kabhI vismRta nahIM krtii| jaba taka saMtAna kI prApti nahIM hotI, taba taka nArI kA AdhAra hotA hai svaamii| kintu saMtAna kI prApti ke pazcAt usakA samagra mana vAtsalya se bharA-pUrA ho jAtA hai| sukumArI apane putra meM tadAkAra banakara rahatI thii| phira bhI vaha apane kalAkAra svAmI ko kabhI nahIM bhUla paayii| vaha socatI, svAmI chaha mAsa kA vAdA kara gae the| Aja pUrA eka varSa bIta gayA hai| ve lauTe kyoM nahIM? kyA aise sundara putra ko dekhane kI abhilASA unameM nahIM jAgI ? kyA puruSa-jAti svabhAva se hI itanI kaThora aura caMcala hotI hai? 168 vIra vikramAditya

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sukumArI pati ke koI samAcAra na pAkara atyanta du:khI aura vyathita thii| usane apanI manovyathA mAM ke pAsa rkhii| mAM ne kahA- 'beTI yaha cintA kA viSaya avazya hai, kintu dhairya gaMvAne kA avasara nahIM hai| vijaya eka kalAkAra haiN| vesvabhAva se namra haiM, parantu kalAkAra dhunI hotA hai| vaha jAtA kahIM hai aura nikalatA kahIM hai| saMbhava hai, tere svAmI kisI anya deza meM cale gae hoM?' sukumArI bolI- 'mAM! kalAkAra dhunI hotA hai, para vaha apane prANoM ko kaise bhUla sakatA hai ? pitAzrI ne unakI khoja karane do dUta baMgadeza kI ora bheje| ve bhI khAlI hAtha lauTa Ae haiN| mere svAmI kA koI atA-patA nahIM milaa| mujhe saMzaya ho rahA hai ki aba ve kabhI lauTeMge yA nahIM? mahArAjA zAlivAhana bhI usa samaya vahAM A ge| unhoMne sArI bAta sunii| sukumArI ko AzvAsana diyaa| sukumArI bolI-'sabase bar3I kaThinAI yaha hai ki hama kalAkAra vijayasiMha ke nivAsa-sthAna aura parivAra ko nahIM jaante|' vijayasiMha-rUpI vikrama ne jisa dina yahAM se prasthAna kiyA thA, taba unhoMne sukumArI ko eka choTI peTikA dI thii| usa peTikA meM unakA paricaya thA, kintu yaha vRttAnta sukumArI kI smRti meM ojhala ho gayA thaa| use isa viSaya kI bAta kucha bhI yAda nahIM rhii| pratiSThAnapura meM jaba priyatamA sukumArI apane priyatama ke Agamana kI bATa dekha rahI thI, taba priyatama vikrama do-do sundariyoM ke sahavAsa meM mauja-mastI manA rahe the| manuSya jaba prema aura moha meM aMdhA bana jAtA hai, taba vaha bahuta kucha bhUla jAtA hai| vikrama jAnate the ki unhoMne sukumArI ko sagarbhAvasthA meM chor3A hai| sukumArI ke svapna ke AdhAra para unhoMne yaha bhI nizcaya kiyA thA ki sukumArI eka tejasvI putra kA prasava kregii| vaha putra aura koI nahIM, avaMtI ke siMhAsana kA uttarAdhikArI hogaa| kintu vikrama apanI priyatamA sukamArI ko bilkula bhUla gae the| eka dina agnivaitAla apanI patnI ko sAtha lekara vikramAditya se milane AyA aura usa samaya bhI vikrama ko sukumArI kI yAda nahIM aayii| vaitAla kevala eka dina rukA aura phira vahAM se patnI ke sAtha vividha pradezoM kI yAtrA ke lie nikala pdd'aa| kharparaka jaise bhayaMkara cora ko naSTa karane ke pazcAt ATha mahIne sukhazAntipUrvaka vyatIta hue| kintu nauveM mahIne meM eka nayI upAdhi A gii| vIra vikramAditya 166

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nagara kI dakSiNa dizA meM eka kosa kI dUrI para eka kUpa thaa| vahAM camatkAra hotA hai', yaha bAta nagara meM phailI huI thii| camatkAra kI bAta rAjA vikrama ke kAnoM taka bhI phuNcii| ___ isa kUpa meM kyA thA yA hai, koI nahIM batA skaa| kintu eka mahIne ke bhItara pAMca pathika usa kUpa ke bhoga bana cuke the| Azcarya kI bAta to yaha thI ki kUpa meM gire pAMcoM vyaktiyoM ke zava prApta nahIM ho sake the| zavoM kI pUrI khoja kI gaI, para prayatna vyartha hI huaa| kotavAla ne zavoM kI khoja meM do vyaktiyoM ko kUpa meM utArA, para ve bhI bhItara gAyaba ho ge| sabhI Azcaryacakita the ki kUpa meM sAta-sAta AdamI kahAM adRzya ho gae? vIra vikrama ne jaba yaha vRttAnta sunA to ve vicAramagna ho ge| ve maMtriyoM aura anyAnya rAjyAdhikAriyoM ko sAtha lekara kUpa para gae / eka sainika kI kamara meM rassI bAMdhakara use nIce utaaraa| usa prayatna kA pariNAma jAnane ke lie sabhI utsuka nynthe| kintu jaba sainika ke badale kUpa se kevala rassI hI bAra nikalI, taba saba ghabarA ge| do-cAra dina bAda usa rAste se AnA-jAnA banda ho gyaa| yaha kyA rahasya hai, isako kaise jAnA jAe-ye prazna vikrama ke lie mastakazUla bana gye| 35. preta-samrAT yaha kyA rahasya hai, jo vyakti usa kUpa ke pAsa jAtA hai, vaha usI kUpa meM samA jAtA hai| na vaha jIvita bAhara nikala pAtA hai aura na usakA mRta zarIra hI bAhara AtA hai| yaha cintA kA viSaya banA huA thaa| vikrama ne socA aura isa kUpa ko bhara dene kA nirNaya liyaa| hajAroM logoM ke prayatna se eka hI dina meM usa kUpa ko bhara diyA gyaa| vikrama ne socA, aba kUpa hI nahIM rahA to phira usameM girakara marane kA bhaya bhI kaisA? sabhI loga nizciMta hokara rahane lge| para dUsare hI dina rAjasabhA meM eka kisAna ne zikAyata kI- 'mahArAja ! kRpA kreN| merI javAna putrI usa kUpa kI bhakSya bana gaI hai|' kisAna ke ye zabda sunakara sabhA meM upasthita sabhI sadasya Azcaryacakita raha ge| mahAmaMtrI ne khar3e hokara kahA- 'bhAI! tuma usa kUpa kI bAta kitane dinoM pUrva kI kaha rahe ho?' kisAna bolA-'Aja prAta:kAla kI bAta kaha rahA huuN| maiM aura merI putrI usI rAste se A rahe the| hama hAtha-muMha dhone ke lie kUpa ke kinAre para gae aura acAnaka merI putrI kUpa meM gira pdd'ii|' 170 vIra vikramAditya

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mahAmaMtrI bole- 'bhale manuSya ! tumheM kucha galataphahamI huI hai| kUpa to kala hI pATa diyA gayA thaa|' vikrama khar3e ho gae the| kisAna ko dekha rahe the| kisAna bolA-'annadAtA! kUpa vaisA kA vaisA hai, jaisA ATha dina puurvthaa| yadi Apako merI bAta para vizvAsa na ho to Apa usakI parIkSA karane ke lie kisI ko bhejeN|' vikrama rAjasabhA kA kArya sthagita kara mahApratihAra aura do rakSakoM ko sAtha lekara eka ratha meM baiThakara kUpa kI ora cala pdd'e| kUpa ke pAsa pahuMcakara Azcarya ke sAtha dekhA ki jo kUpa kala pATa diyA gayA thA, vaha Aja jyoM kA tyoM hai| yaha AzcaryakArI ghaTanA thii| aisA honA na kabhI sunA thA aura na dekhA thaa| vikrama ne socA- 'yadi yaha kUpa na pATA jA sake, to merI prajA ke lie yaha eka abhizApa hogaa|' nirAza hokara vikrama rAjabhavana meM lauTa aae| svAmI ko khinna aura ciMtita dekhakara rAnI kamalAvatI ne pUchA-'Aja Apa itane ciMtita kyoM haiM?' vikrama ne kahA- "priye! loga rAjA banane ke lie tapa karate haiM, ArAdhanA karate haiM, puNya karate haiN| kintu ve nahIM jAnate ki rAjyasattA sukha kI zayyA nahIM hai, kintu jIvana ko bhasmasAt karane vAlI eka cinagArI hai|' vikrama ne kUpa kI pUrI ghaTanA rAnI ko sunaaii| pUrI bAta sunakara rAnI bolI-'prANanAtha! yaha amAnavIya kRtya lagatA hai| koI duSTa AtmA yA koI duSTa yakSa kUpa ke Azraya meM rahatA hai aura vahI yaha kArya kara rahA hai|' vikrama bole- 'kamalA! kucha bhI ho / mujhe samasyA kA nivAraNa nahIM sUjha rahA hai|' 'upAya to ApakI muTThI meM hI hai|' kamalA ne haMsate hue khaa| 'merI muTThI meM ?' 'hAM, svAmI! aise samaya meM Apa apane mahAn mitra ko kaise bhUla rahe haiM?' vikrama harSita hokara priyatamA ko bAhupAza meM bharate hue bole-'kamalA! tuma merI preraNA ho| maiM abhI apane mitra ko yAda karatA huuN|' vikrama ne agnivaitAla kA smaraNa kiyaa| kucha hI kSaNoM meM vaitAla adRzya rUpa meM A upasthita ho gayA aura prakaTa hokara bolA-'mahArAja, kyA AjJA hai?' vikrama ne apane mahAn mitra ko eka Asana para AdarapUrvaka biThAyA aura kUpa kA sArA vRttAMta kaha sunaayaa| sArI bAta sunakara agnivaitAla ne kahA'mahArAja! prazna bar3A vicitra hai| preta-samrAT barbaraka Der3ha mahIne se apane pUre parivAra vIra vikramAditya 171

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ke sAtha isI kUpa ke nIce bane hue eka mahala meM nivAsa kara rahA hai| usane jitane manuSyoM ko pakar3A hai, ve saba jIvita haiM, kintu isa amAvasyA kI madhyarAtri meM vaha sabako bhakSya legaa| preta-jAti ke eka vaidya ne usake roga-nivAraNa kA aisA upAya batalAyA hai| amAvasa meM abhI dasa dina zeSa haiM / isI bIca yadi barbaraka rogamukta ho jAegA to sabhI manuSyoM ko baMdhanamukta kara degA, anyathA vaha sabhI ko mAra ddaalegaa|' vikrama bole-'mitra! barbaraka ko rogamukta karane kA upAya kyA hai?' 'mahArAja, barbaraka preta-samrAT hai| isalie merI zakti isake samakSa kAryakara nahIM hogii| Apa sAhasa kareM to eka upAya btaauuN|' 'bolo, maiM taiyAra huuN|' vaitAla ne kahA- 'barbaraka ke mahaloM ke dvArapAla kI patnI lambe samaya se rogagrasta hai| maiM Apako eka auSadhi detA huuN| Apa usa auSadhi kA prayoga sabase pahale dvArapAla kI patnI para kreN| auSadhi ke prabhAva se vaha tatkAla svastha ho jAegI aura phira Apa para prasanna hokara dvArapAla Apako barbaraka ke pAsa le jaaegaa|' vikrama ne pUchA- 'kintu barbaraka ke roga kI cikitsA kyA hai ?' agnivaitAla ne barbaraka ke roga kI samUcI bAta vikrama ko batAI aura usase mukta karane kA upAya bhI sujhaayaa| phira vaha bolA- 'mahArAja! jaba barbaraka niroga ho jAegA, taba vaha ApakA dAsa bana jaaegaa|' yaha kahakara vaitAla adRzya ho gyaa| aba taka zAMta bhAva se baiThI kamalA bola uThI-'nAtha! Apake binA aisA sAhasa koI nahIM kara skegaa|' aura usI dina saMdhyA ke pazcAt vikrama ne eka vaidya kA rUpa dhAraNa kiyA aura agnivaitAla dvArA pradatta auSadhi lekara cAmatkArika kUpa kI ora prasthita hue| vikrama azva se nIce utare aura prazikSita azva kI pITha thapathapAte hue bole'aba tU jaa|' __ azva ne vikrama kA manobhAva jAna liyaa| vaha tatkAla nagarI kI ora calA gyaa| ___ mana meM iSTadeva pArzvanAtha kA smaraNa kara 'OM hrIM nama:' maMtra kA ikkIsa bAra jApa kara vikrama kUpa ke pAsa gye| kUpa kI adRzya zakti se ve kUpa ke bhItara khIMca liye ge| andara jAte hI eka preta ne unheM pakar3a liyaa| __vikrama bole- 'mitra! mujhe pakar3ane meM koI lAbha nahIM hai| maiM tumhArI patnI ko rogamukta karane AyA huuN| maiM eka samartha vaidya huuN|' 'are! tuma vaidya ho! kahAM rahate ho?' dvArapAla preta ne puuchaa| 172 vIra vikramAditya

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vikrama bole- 'maiM bahuta dUra rahatA huuN| avaMtI meM eka yogI ne tumhArI patnI ke roga kI carcA kI thI, isalie maiM apanI icchA se AyA huuN|' "vaidya ! yadi tuma merI patnI ko svastha kara doge, to maiM tumheM apane svAmI barbaraka se milaauuNgaa| yadi tuma mere svAmI ko bhI rogamukta kara doge to jo mAMgoge, vahI milegaa|' 'bhAI! maiM kucha pAne ke lie yahAM nahIM AyA huuN| sahI vaidya lAlacI nahIM hotaa| tuma mujhe apanI patnI ke pAsa le jaao| maiM usake roga-nivAraNa kA prayatna kruuNgaa|' dvArapAla eka dUsare pizAca ko apane sthAna para biThAkara vikrama ko apane nivAsasthAna para le gyaa| vaidya ko eka Asana para biThAkara kahA-'vaidya ! tuma yahAM baittho| maiM patnI ko bulA lAtA huuN|' vikrama vahIM baiTha gye| kucha hI kSaNoM meM dvArapAla apanI bImAra patnI ko le aayaa| vikrama vaidya-vidhi jAnatA nahIM thA, phira bhI usane vaidya kA abhinaya kiyaa| usane pretapatnI se pUchA- 'bahana! tumheM kyA pIr3A hai?' pretapatnI bolI- 'vaidyarAja! maiM atyanta pIr3ita huuN| merI pIr3A apAra hai| dina meM maiM aMdhI ho jAtI hUM aura rAta ko dIkhane lagatA hai, kintu pUrI rAta mujhe dasta lagate rahate haiN| yadi Apa mujhe varSoM kI bImArI se mukta kara deM to maiM Apako bhagavAna maanuuNgii|' vikrama ne usa pretapatnI kI AMkheM dekhIM, peTa dekhA, jIbha dekhI aura nAr3I dekhii| phira bole-'are bahana ! yaha koI kaThina roga nahIM hai| kala prAta:kAla taka tuma svastha ho jaaogii| yaha davA detA huuN| ise dUdha ke sAtha le lenaa| yadi prAta: tumhArA aMdhApana dUra ho jAe to mujhe btaanaa|' vikrama ne auSadhi dii| pretapatnI ne tatkAla use dUdha ke anupAna se le liyaa| dvArapAla ne vikrama ko vizrAma karane ke lie khaa| - camatkAra ghaTita huaa| auSadhi-sevana ke pazcAt pretapatnI ko ekabhI dasta nahIM lagA aura prAta:kAla vaha saba kucha dekhane meM samartha ho skii| jisa khaNDa meM vikrama so rahe the, vahAM donoM dvArapAla preta aura usakI patnI aae| dvArapAla ne kahA- 'vaidyarAja! Apa manuSya nahIM haiM, deva haiN| merI patnI kA sArA roga eka hI rAta meM dUra ho gyaa| aba Apa mere para kRpA kreN|' 'bolo, kyA bAta hai?' vikrama ne khaa| 'Apa mere svAmI pretasamrAT barbaraka kA darda mittaaeN| sAtha hI merI yaha tuccha bheMTa bhI svIkAra kreN|' yaha kahakara dvArapAla ne vajraratna kI eka mudrikA unake hAtha meM rkhii| vIra vikramAditya 173

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vikrama ne kahA- 'tumhArI patnI kA svAsthya ThIka ho gayA, yahI mere lie bar3I bheMTa hai / ' dvArapAla ne Agraha kiyA / anta meM vikrama ne usa vajramudrikA ko pretapatnI ke hAtha meM dete hue kahA - 'bahana ! tuma preta yonI meM ho, phira bhI maiMne tumheM bahana kahA hai, isalie eka bhAI kI bheMTa svIkAra karo / ' pretapatnI ne gadgada hokara usa mudrikA ko pahana liyaa| phira dvArapAla vikrama ko pretasamrAT barbaraka ke pAsa le gayA aura namaskAra kara bolA-'mahArAja ! ye eka mahAn vaidya haiN| inhoMne merI patnI ko eka hI rAta meM rogamukta kara diyaa| maiM inheM ApakI cikitsA karane lAyA huuN|' barbaraka vikrama kI ora dekhatA rahA / vaha eka vizAla palaMga para so rahA thaa| usake pAsa vicitra vezabhUSA meM usakI ATha rAniyAM baiThI thiiN| pacAsa bhUta usakI sevA meM khar3e the / vikrama bolA- 'pretasamrAT ! maiM ApakA roga jAna gayA huuN|' barbaraka ne kahA - 'are vaidyarAja ! tuma merI nAr3I kA parIkSaNa kie binA hI roga jAna gae ?' 'hAM, mahArAja! maiM dRSTi vaidya huuN| mujhe nAr3I dekhane kI AvazyakatA nahIM hotii| Apa kaheM to ApakA roga batA duuN|' ye zabda sunakara barbaraka ko bahuta Azcarya huaa| vahAM jo bhUta sevA ke lie khar3e the, ve sabhI vismita hokara vikrama kI ora dekhane lge| barbaraka bolA- 'acchA vaidyarAja ! batAo, mujhe kyA roga hai ?' tatkAla vikrama bole- 'mahArAja ! Apa bhayaMkara ajIrNa roga se grasta haiM, sArA dina becainI meM bItatA hai| rAta bhara nIMda nahIM aatii| batAeM, kyA yahI ApakI sthiti hai ? ' 'hAM, bhAI ! jo tumane kahA hai, vahI sahI hai| aba tuma jo auSadhi doge maiM usakA sevana kruuNgaa|' vikrama bole- 'mahArAja ! Apa bhojana kaba karate haiM ?' 'madhyarAtri meM !' 'jaba Apa bhojana karane baiTheM, taba mujhe bulA lenaa| usa samaya Apake roga ke nivAraNa kA upaya batAUMgA / ' vaisA hI huA / madhyarAtri ke samaya jaba barbaraka bhojana ke lie baiThA, taba usane vaidya vikrama ko AdarapUrvaka vahAM bulA bhejA aura svarNa-Asana para biThAyA / vikrama ne dekhA ki barbaraka ke pAsa utanA bhojana par3A hai, jisase sau vyakti bhUkha 174 vIra vikramAditya

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miTA sakate haiN| ATha striyAM paMkhA jhala rahI haiN| sau se adhika bhUta idhara-udhara khar3e haiN| agnivaitAla ne jo bAta vikrama ko kahI thI, vaha akSaraza: sahI thii| vikrama bolA- 'mahArAja! aba Apa bhojana kreN|' barbaraka bhojana karane lgaa| usane sArA bhojana udarastha kara ddaalaa| tatpazcAt vikrama bole- 'mahArAja! Apake roga-nivAraNa kA upAya mujhe mila gayA hai| maiM binA auSadhi die Apako svastha karatA huuN| jaba Apa dUsarI bAra bhojana karane baileM, taba Apake pAsa koI bhI vyakti yA rAnI upasthita na rhe| yahI merA upAya hai| yadi ApakA roga Aja AdhA kama ho jAe to phira Apa pratidina ekAMta meM bhojana karate raheM, Apa svastha ho jaaeNge|' dUsare dina madhyarAtri meM bhojana ke samaya barbaraka ne vikrama ke kathanAnusAra sabako alaga kara, ekAMta meM bhojana kiyaa| usake koI pIr3A nahIM huii| vaha rAta meM ArAma se soyaa| prAta:kAla barbaraka atyanta prasannacitta thaa| usane vikrama ko bulAkara kahA- 'vaidya! tumhArA upAya kAragara siddha huA hai| maiM auSadhi kA sevana kiye binA hI svastha kaise ho gayA, yaha samajha meM nahIM A rahA haiM' vikrama ne kahA- 'preta samrATa! jaba Apa bhojana karane baiThate the, taba Apake Asa-pAsa khar3e bhUtoM kI duSTa dRSTi Apake bhojana para par3atI aura taba vaha bhojana dRSTi-viSamaya bana jAtA thaa| vahI bhojana sArI gar3abar3iyAM paidA karatA thaa| Apake aura koI roga nahIM hai|' barbaraka khar3A huA aura vikrama ko chAtI se lagAte hue bolA- 'vaidya ! tumheM jo mAMganA ho, vaha binA kisI hicakicAhaTa ke mAMga lo| jinA dhana cAhie, sampatti cAhie, vaha maaNgo| tumheM saba kucha milegaa|' ___ vikrama bole- 'mahArAja! maiM to ayAcaka vaidya huuN| Apa rogamukta ho gae, yahI merA bar3A puraskAra hai| vAstava meM maiM vaidya nahIM, avantI kA samrAT vikramAditya huuN| mere prajAjana Apake pAsa phaMse par3e haiM, isalie mujhe yahAM AnA pdd'aa| 'kyA Apa svayaM vIra vikrama haiM? maiM dhanya huaa| maiM to ApakA dAsa huuN| mahArAja! Apa jaba mujhe yAda kareMge, taba maiM upasthita ho jaauuNgaa| Apa jo kaheMge, vaha kruuNgaa|' usI dina vIra vikrama kUpa meM kaida kie hue sabhI vyaktiyoM ko sAtha lekara nagarI meM lauTa Ae aura yaha samAcAra pavana kI bhAMti sAre nagara meM phaila gyaa| vIra vikramAditya 175

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36. vaitAla ne sAvaceta kiyA apanI prajA ke prANoM kI rakSA ke lie apane jIvana kI bAjI lagAne vAle vIra vikrama kI kIrti cAroM dizAoM meM caMpaka ke phUla kI taraha mahaka utthii| ___manuSya jaba kIrti kI pAMkhoM se ur3ane lagatA hai, taba usake karttavya kI sImA bar3ha jAtI hai, dAyitva bar3ha jAtA hai aura logoM ke hRdaya meM usake prati AtmIyabhAva jAgRta hotA hai| vIra vikrama kevala mAlavadeza meM hI nahIM, samagra rASTra meM prasiddha ho cuke the| jaba prasiddhi hotI hai, taba aneka zreSThI, kalAkAra usake pAsa AtejAte haiN| __ tIna mahIne bAda kazmIra pradeza ke eka choTe se gAMva ke eka yaMtrazilpI ne vIra vikrama kI bAta sunii| usake mana meM eka bhAvanA ubharI aura apanI varSoM kI sAdhanA kI niSpatti vIra vikrama ke caraNoM meM samarpita karane kI icchA huii| isa yaMtrazilpI ne eka bejor3a vastu kA nirmANa kiyA thaa| usane kASTha kA eka sundara siMhAsana taiyAra kiyA thaa| vaha kASTha aisA thA, jo na kabhI sar3a-gala sakatA thA aura na agni meM jala sakatA thaa| usa siMhAsana para bhAMti-bhAMti ke citra utkIrNa the| usa siMhAsana ko dekhakara koI bhI vyakti cauMka par3atA aura avAk bana jaataa| usa siMhAsana meM battIsa putaliyAM thiiN| inakI vizeSatA yaha thI ki ve sabhI putaliyAM nAcatI thIM, bolatI thiiN| ye putaliyAM yaMtra se niyaMtrita thIM aura yaMtra meM nizcita kiye hue vAkyoM kA uccAraNa karatI thiiN| aise deva-durlabha siMhAsana ke nirmANa meM yaMtrazilpI ne bAraha varSa lagAe the| usa siMhAsana ko taiyAra kie abhI eka varSa hI pUrA huA thA, kintu usa mahAn siMhAsana ko kise diyA jAe, yaha prazna yaMtrazilpI ko satA rahA thA; kyoMki jIvana meM phira vaise adbhuta siMhAsana kA nirmANa karanA asaMbhava thaa| usa eka siMhAsana ke nirmANa meM zilpI ne apanA pUrA zrama aura dhana vyaya kara DAlA thaa| phalata: pUrA parivAra daridra bana gayA thaa| zilpI ke tIna putra aura eka putrI thii| ve sadA kahate-'Apa isa siMhAsana ko beca ddaaleN| isase kucha dhana milegaa| usase hamArA dAridrya bhI miTegA aura hama anyAnya vyavasAya bhI kara skeNge|' zilpI yaha saba samajhatA thaa| kintu paisoM ke lie apane jIvana kI amUlya niSpatti ko jyoM-tyoM yA jahAM-tahAM gaMvA denA nahIM cAhatA thaa| jaba usake kAnoM se vIra vikrama kI yazogAthA ke zabda TakarAe, taba usane avaMtI jAne kA vicAra kiyaa| usane yaha bAta apanI patnI se khii| vaha bolI-'kahAM avaMtI aura kahAM hamArA yaha choTA gAMva! vahAM taka pahuMcane meM chaha mAsa to laga hI jAeMge!' 176 vIra vikramAditya

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zilpI bolA- 'jo kucha bhI ho / yadi maiM isa amUlya nidhi ko kisI supAtra ke hAthoM sauMpatA hUM to merI sAdhanA saphala hotI hai|' zilpI ke parivAra ne usakI bAta svIkArI aura tIna gAr3iyoM meM sAmAna aura siMhAsana lekara pUrA parivAra avaMtI kI ora cala pdd'aa| zilpI-parivAra jaba ghara se calA, taba uttama zakuna hue the| saba prasanna the| nadI-nAle aura parvatoM ko pAra karate hue ve pAMca mahInoM ke kaThina pravAsa ke pazcAt avaMtI nagarI meM phuNce| mahArAjA vikramAditya rAjasabhA meM avasthita the| vahAM aneka kalAkAra, kavi, zreSThI upasthita the| aisI rAjasabhA meM kazmIra pradeza se vaha yaMtrazilpI A phuNcaa| usane dekhA ki jo kucha usane sunA thA, usase adhika nayanAnandakArI haiM rAjA vIra vikrama aura unakI raajsbhaa| sAmAnya kAryavAhI ke pazcAt yaMtrazilpI amaradeva ne khar3e hokara mahArAjA kA abhivAdana kiyaa| vaha abhI pacAsa varSa kI vaya vAlA thA, phira bhI usake keza zveta ho cuke the| usakI AMkhoM meM vijJAna kA teja thA, phira bhI usakA mukha-kamala murajhAyA huA thaa| mahAmaMtrI bhaTTamAtra ne usa aparicita paradezI ko dekhakara kahA-'bhAI, Age Ao aura apanA pUrA paricaya do|' yaMtrazilpI Age gayA aura bolA-'merA nAma amaradeva hai| maiM kazmIra pradeza se apane parivAra ko sAtha lekara yahAM AyA huuN| kRpAnAtha! maiMne eka mahAn vastu banAI hai| manuSyaloka meM kahIM prApta na ho sake, aisA devadurlabha siMhAsana maiMne banAyA hai| mahArAja! isakI nirmiti meM maiMne bAraha varSoM kA bhoga diyA hai| maiM ApakI zlAghA sunakara yahAM AyA huuN|' vikrama ne kahA- 'maiM dhanya huaa| Apa-jaise mahAn zilpI mere rAjya meM AeM, yaha eka zubha sUcanA hai|' vikrama kA kathana sunakara zilpI amaradeva kA hRdaya bAMsoM uchalane lgaa| usane kahA-'rAjan! nagara ke bAhara maiM eka sArthavAha ke sAtha ThaharA huuN| Apa AjJA deM to maiM bAraha varSoM kI apanI sAdhanA ke viSaya meM kucha kahUM?' vikrama bole- 'Apa abhI pravAsa se Ae haiN| thakAna hai| rAjya ke atithigRha meM rheN| phira sArI bAta khnaa|' maMtrI buddhisAgara ne zilpI ke nivAsa kI pUrI vyavasthA kii| zilpI atyanta prasanna ho gyaa| usane socA, rAjA kitanA mahAn hai| abhI taka inhoMne siMhAsana kI bAta bhI nahIM sunI aura mujhe itanA sammAna de rahe haiN| tIna dina bIta ge| cauthe dina vikrama svayaM atithi kI sAra-saMbhAla karane atithi-gRha meM pahuMca ge| vikrama ko dekhate hI zilpI amaradeva vismita raha gyaa| usane battIsa putaliyoM vIra vikramAditya 177

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vAle cAmatkArika siMhAsana kI pUrI bAta vikrama ko btaaii| sArI bAta sunakara vikrama bole- 'vAha-vAha! Apa to mahAnatama zilpI haiN| puNyayoga se hI ApakA sAkSAtkAra huA hai| kyA siMhAsana taiyAra hai?' 'hAM, mahArAja! siMhAsana to taiyAra hai, kintu usameM svarNa aura ratnoM ko jaTita karane kA kArya abhI zeSa hai, kyoMki mere pAsa unakA abhAva hai|' vikrama ne amaradeva ke kaMdhe para hAtha rakhakara kahA- 'Aja se Apa avaMtI ke zilpa-samrAT haiN| aba Apako yahIM rahanA hai| maiM Apake sthAyI nivAsa kI pUrI vyavasthA kara detA huuN| siMhAsana ko pUrNa karane ke lie Apako jitanA svarNa cAhie, jitane ratna cAhie, ve saba Apako upalabdha hoNge|' vikrama vahAM se cale ge| unhoMne amaradeva ke lie sundara vyavasthA kara dI aura sAre sAdhana juTAne kA nirdeza de diyaa| amaradeva ne ratnoM kA kArya prArambha kiyaa| kazmIra kA eka parivAra avaMtI kA parivAra bana gyaa| pandraha dina bIta gae / eka dina mahArAjA vikramAditya apane upavana meM bhramaNa kara rahe the| usa samaya eka yogI ne Akara vikramAditya ko AzIrvAda diyaa| vikrama ne prazna-bharI dRSTi se yogI kI ora dekho| yogI kI kAyA tAmravarNI thii| vaha sugaThita aura sazakta thii| usakI jaTA bhavya thii| usane apane kamaMDalu se phala nikAle aura vikramAditya ke samakSa rakhate hue kahA- 'rAjan ! yaha eka ratna-phala maiM Apako bheMTa karatA huuN|' 'yogirAja! Apa kahAM rahate haiM?' 'yahAM se bIsa kosa kI dUrI para eka vana-pradeza hai| aise ratna-phala vahAM sahaja-sulabha haiM / maiM eka ratna-phala Apako arpita karane A gayA huuN|' ___ 'yogirAja! maiM eka saMsArI prANI huuN| dAna lene kA merA adhikAra nahIM hai| dAna dene kA adhikAra hai, dharma hai|' ___ 'rAjan! rAjA, brAhmaNa, sAdhu, puruSa aura strI-sabhI bheMTa lene ke adhikArI haiN| yaha phala atyanta durlabha hai| maiM Apako isa phala kA camatkAra batAUM'-yaha kahakara yogI ne phala ko tor3A aura vikrama ne phaTI AMkhoM se dekhA ki phala ke bIja rUpa meM eka camakIlA ratna thaa| vikrama bole-'yogirAja! adbhuta phala hai yh| ApakI prasAdI ke rUpa meM maiM isa phala ko svIkAra karatA huuN| Apa mujhe sevA kA lAbha deN|' 'rAjan ! isa phala ke nimitta maiM eka bAta kahanA cAhatA huuN|' 'prasannatA se kheN| caleM, usa vRkSa ke nIce baittheN|' 178 vIra vikramAditya

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donoM vRkSa ke nIce baiTha ge| yogI ne kahA- 'rAjan ! maiMne svarNa-puruSa ko siddha karane kI sAdhanA kI hai| yadi Apa isa sAdhanA meM kucha sahayogI baneM, to merA varSoM kA svapna siddha ho jaae|' 'mujhe sahayoga rUpa meM kyA karanA hogA ?' 'kevala eka rAtri kA kAma hai / AgAmI caturdazI ke dina mujhe yaha sAdhanA sampanna karanI hai| usa rAta yadi Apa mere uttara- sAdhaka banate haiM to merA bar3A upakAra hogA / ' vikrama vicAra - magna ho ge| yogI bolA - 'rAjan! maiMne ApakI yazogAthA bahuta sunI hai| Apa aneka du:khI-janoM kI sahAyatA karate haiM, aneka vyaktiyoM kI manokAmanA pUrNa karate haiN| mere kArya meM Apako kevala eka rAta denI hogii| Apa avazya kRpA kareM / ' 'yogirAja ! mujhe vahAM kyA karanA hogA ?' 'koI khAsa bAta nahIM hai| jaba maiM yajJa-kuNDa ke pAsa ArAdhanA kI aMtima sthiti meM hoUM, usa samaya Apako merI rakSA karanI hogii| phira mauna rahakara nikaTa se eka zava lAnA hogaa| maiM rAtri ke cauthe prahara meM aMtima Ahuti dUMgA / usI samaya yajJa- kuNDa kI tIna bAra pradakSiNA kara Apako eka zrIphala usa kuMDa meM DAlanA hogA / basa, merA kArya pUrA ho jAegA aura advitIya svarNa-puruSa taiyAra ho jaaegaa|' 'yogirAja! Apa to vanavAsI haiM, tyAgI haiN| Apa svarNa-puruSa kA kyA kareMge ?' 'rAjan ! hama yogI-jana jo kucha karate haiM, vaha kevala svArtha ke lie hI nahIM karate, parantu vizva-kalyANa ke lie karate haiN| jo svarNa-puruSa nirmita hogA, use maiM Apako hI samarpita kruuNgaa|' vikrama ne vicAra-magna hokara yogI ke sudRr3ha zarIra kI ora dekhaa| usane socA, kyA yogI kA kahanA saca hai ? yogI bolA- 'Apa kisI bAta kA saMzaya na kreN| merI maMtra-sAdhanA niSphala na ho, isIlie maiMne Apa-jaise samartha aura nirbhIka puruSa se prArthanA kI hai| ' vikrama bole- 'Apa aisA na kheN| Apa AjJA dene ke adhikArI haiN| maiM jarUra sahayogI bnuuNgaa| mujhe kahAM kaise AnA hai aura sAtha meM kyA-kyA lAnA hai, yaha Apa batAeM / ' 'rAjan! maiM Aja dhanyatA kA anubhava kara rahA huuN| merI AzA pUrNa hogI, yaha nizcita hai / Apa caturdazI ke dina prAta:kAla yahAM se prasthAna kreN| eka azva isa vRkSa ke nIce khar3A rhegaa| usa para savAra hokara Apa bAhara nikleN| vaha azva vIra vikramAditya 176

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Apako madhyAhna se pUrva mere pAsa pahuMcA degaa| Apa apane sAtha do svaccha vastra lete AeM, aura kucha bhI sAtha na laaeN|' vikrama bole-'acchA, kintu mere rkssk.....|' bIca meM hI yogI bolA-'rAjan! Apa svayaM rakSaka haiM, vIra aura sAhasI haiN| dUsarI bAta hai ki svarNa-puruSa kI ArAdhanA-kriyA Apa aura mere sivAya koI na dekha sake,yaha dhyAna rakhanA hai| rAjan ! Apa kisI prakAra kA bhaya na rkheN| Apako AMca taka nahIM aaegii| Apako dhairya rakhanA pdd'egaa|' vikrama ne yogI kI ora prazna-bharI dRSTi se dekhaa| yogI bolA- 'vIra puruSa! jaba maiM maMtra kI ArAdhanA karUMgA, taba nIcI jAti ke deva, yakSa, preta Adi merI sAdhanA meM vighna upasthita karane ke lie aaeNge| ve bhayaMkara rUpa dhAraNa kara merI sAdhanA ko bhaMga karane kA prayatna kreNge| usa samaya Apako pUrNa dhairya rakhanA hai| maiM ApakI surakSA ke lie maMtra-siddha eka vartula nirmita kruuNgaa| usameM Apako khar3A rahanA hogaa| vahAM koI bhI duSTa sattva ApakA ahita karane meM samartha nahIM hogaa| kintu yadi Apa Darakara usa vartula kI maryAdA kA ullaMghana kara deMge, to ve duSTa sattva merI sAdhanA ko chinna-bhinna kara deNge| isIlie Apa-jaise samartha vyakti ko uttara-sAdhaka banAne ke prayojana se yahAM AyA huuN|' vikrama ne sthira svara meM kahA-'yogirAja! Apa nizciMta rheN| ApakI sAdhanA pUrNa hogii| jagat kI koI bhI duSTa zakti ApakI sAdhanA ko bhaMga nahIM kara skegii|' __yogirAja AzIrvAda dekara cale ge| vikrama rAjabhavana meM aae| unhoMne mana-hI-mana nizcaya kara liyA ki yogI kI isa bAta kI carcA kahIM nahIM kareMge aura jaba unakI donoM priyAoM ne pUchA- 'Aja itanA vilamba kaise ho gayA?' taba vikrama ne haMsate hue kahA- 'eka yogI AyA thaa| usake sAtha carcA karane meM vilamba ho gyaa|' rAta hii| vikrama nagaracarcA ke lie akele hI nikalate the| usa samaya unake kAnoM meM acAnaka ciraparicita zabda TakarAyA- 'mahArAja! kisa ora....?' vikrama cauke| pIchedekhA ki agnivaitAla haMsa rahA hai| vikrama tatkAla azva senIce utare aura vaitAla kI ora dekhakara bole-'oha! vaitAla! acaank....|' vaitAla ne gaMbhIra svaroM meM kahA- 'kyA karUM, mahArAja! Apase mitratA kI hai, isalie mujhe satata sAvadhAna rahanA hotA hai|' ___ 'maiM kucha samajhA nhiiN|' 'mahArAja! Aja prAta:kAla jo yogI Apake pAsa AyA thA, vaha atyanta duSTAtmA hai| Apa battIsa lakSaNa-yukta puruSa haiN| isalie vaha ApakI hI Ahuti 150 vIra vikramAditya

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denA cAhatA hai, kyoMki vaha dasa varSoM se battIsa lakSaNa vAle puruSa kI khoja kara rahA hai| anta meM Apa use mila gae haiN| maiM Apako sAvadhAna karane AyA huuN|' 'oha mitra ! maiM tumhArA upakAra mAnatA huuN| batAo, aba mujhe kyA karanA cAhie?' 'caturdazI ke dina Apako vahAM jAnA hI nahIM caahie|' "mitra ! maiMne usa yogI ko vacanade diyA hai, isalie jAnA to par3egA hii|' vikrama ne khaa| 'acchA, jaba vaha yogI Apako yajJakuMDa kI tIna pradakSiNA dene ke lie kahe, taba Apako jAgarUka rahanA hai aura usI ko pakar3akara yajJakuMDa meM homa denA hai|' vaitAla ne khaa| vikrama ne vaitAla kA AbhAra mAnA aura Aja kI rAta rAjabhavana meM rahane kA Agraha kiyaa| vaitAla ne haMsate hue kahA- 'mahArAja! Apa jAnate hI haiM ki aba maiM saMsArI bana gayA huuN| patnI ke krodha ke samakSa merI zakti paMgu ho jAtI hai| maiM bar3e-se-bar3A prazna samAhita kara sakatA huuN| kintu......|' vikrama ne haMsakara kahA- 'kyA tumhArI jAti kI striyoM meM itanA bala hotA hai?' vaitAla kucha uttara de, usase pahale hI adRzya rUpa meM kucha mIThA aura gambhIra hAsya donoM ke kAnoM se ttkraayaa| vaitAla cauMkA / vaha saMbhale usase pahale hI usakI patnI dRzya hokara bolI- 'Apa apane mitra ke samakSa merI nindA karane ke lie hI Ate haiM na?' vikrama ne uttara diyA- 'devI! maiM ApakA svAgata karatA huuN| mere mitra ne ApakI niMdA nahIM kI, kintu strI kI zakti kA jo bhAna use huA, vaha batAyA hai| Apa acAnaka yahAM kaise?' vaitAla patnI ne sahaja bhAva se kahA- 'mahArAja! acAnaka ye cale gae, isalie maiM inake pIche calI aayii|' vaitAla ne kahA-'priye ! mahArAjA vikrama ko maiM parama upakArI mAnatA huuN| inake sahavAsa se hI maiMne mAMsa, madirA Adi dUSaNoM kA parityAga kiyA hai aura kucha dharma kI ArAdhanA kara pAyA huuN| isalie maiM inake viSaya meM sAvaceta rahatA huuN| Aja prAta: maiMne inakA cintana kiyA aura mujhe vaha duSTa yogI dikhAI diyaa| isalie mujhe abhI acAnaka yahAM AnA par3A hai| bola, isameM maiMne kyA anucita kiyA ?' vIra vikramAditya 181

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vikrama bole- 'hama yahAM mArga ke madhya meM pati-patnI ke kalaha kA nipaTArA kaise kareM ? Aja tuma donoM mere atithi bano aura manuSya rUpa dhAraNa karake mere bhavana meM clo|' ___ 37. svarNapuruSa kI prApti caturdazI A gii| rAjabhavana ke upavana meM usa vRkSa ke nIce azva khar3A thaa| vaha yogI dvArA maMtra-vidyA se bhejA gayA thaa| rAjA upavana meM AyA aura usa ghor3e para savAra hokara Azrama kI ora cala pdd'aa| ____ Aja yogI atyanta Anandita thaa| use yaha vizvAsa thA ki vIra vikrama apane vacana para kaTibaddha rhegaa| vacanabhaMga karanA usake lie marane se bar3hakara hai, isalie vaha avazya hI aaegaa| usake Ane para varSoM se adhUrA par3A merA yaha kArya pUrA hogA aura saMsAra meM jise kisI ne prApta nahIM kiyA, vaha svarNapuruSa mujhe mila jaaegaa| yogI kI yaha bhAvanA thI ki vaha svarNapuruSa ko siddha kara saMsAra meM dhanakubera bana jaaegaa| arjita kiyA huA dhana eka dina naSTa ho jAtA hai, para svarNapuruSa kabhI naSTa nahIM hotaa| saMsAra kI samagra samRddhi isase kharIdI jA sakatI hai| yogI kA yaha bhautika svapna thaa| Aja vaha pUrA hone vAlA thaa| battIsa lakSaNoM vAlA vIra vikrama Aja uttara-sAdhaka ke rUpa meM AegA aura isa havanakuNDa meM jalakara bhasma ho jaaegaa| ___ yogI ko aTUTa vizvAsa thA ki vikrama avazya hI AegA, phira bhI madhyAhna ke pazcAt bhI vikrama ke na pahuMcane para yogI adhIra ho utthaa| usake citta meM saMzaya kI cinagArI prakaTa huI-vikrama bhUlA to nahIM hogA? vaha bhayabhIta to nahIM ho gayA? isa prakAra aneka saMzaya usake mana meM ubhare aura vaha vikrama ko dekhane ke lie adhIra ho gyaa| dina kA cauthA prahara prArambha huaa| yogI atyanta vihvala ho utthaa| kintu usane usI vihvalatA ke kSaNoM meM vikrama ko azva para Ate hue dekhA / yogI usakA svAgata karane utthaa| jaise hI vikrama nikaTa AyA, yogI ne donoM hAtha Upara uThAkara ullAsapUrNa zabdoM meM kahA- 'mAlavanAtha kI jaya-vijaya ho| he mahAn rAjan! Apako dekhakara merA hRdaya nAca uThA hai| bhagavAn Apako yaza, kIrti aura dIrgha AyuSya deN|' vikrama azva se nIce utare aura madhura hAsya ke sAtha bole-'yogirAja ! Apake AzIrvAda ko maiM sira para car3hAtA huuN| mujhe pahuMcane meM vilamba to nahIM huA?' 182 vIra vikramAditya

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yogI bolA-'nahIM, mahArAja! hamArA kAma saMdhyA ke bAda hI prArambha hogaa| kintu usase pUrva hama kucha prAraMbhika kriyAeM sampanna kara leN|' vikrama ko sAtha lekara yogI apane Azrama meM aayaa| vikrama ne dekhA, Azrama ke cauka meM eka vizAla agnikuNDa banAyA gayA hai| usake Asa-pAsa vividha sAmagrI par3I hai| vahAM vividha raMgoM ke vastra bhI par3e haiN| parNakuTIra ke eka vRkSa ke nIce eka azva aura do gAeM baMdhI huI haiN| yogI ne mRgacarma bichAyA aura vikrama ko usa para baiThane ke lie khaa| vikrama vahAM baiTha ge| yogI ne svarNapuruSa kI siddhi ke lie prAthamika taiyAriyAM prArambha kii| saMdhyA ke samaya vikrama ko maMtrapUta jala se snAna karAyA aura kucheka maMtroM se usakI pratiSThA kii| vikrama mana-hI-mana jAnate the ki yogI mujhe hI homa DAlanA cAhatA hai, kintu unhoMne apanA manobhAva vyakta nahIM hone diyaa| yogI ne vikrama ko valkala dhAraNa karAkara kahA- 'rAjan ! aba maiM yajJa prArambha karatA huuN| Apako usa maMtrazakti vAle vartula meM khar3e rahanA hai aura apramatta rahakara Asa-pAsa dhyAna rakhanA hai|' yogI ne phira kahA- 'ardha prahara rAtri ke bIta jAne para sAmane vAle vaTavRkSa para laTakane vAle zava ko mere pAsa lAkara rakhanA hai| phira maiM usa zava para baiThakara AhvAna kruuNgaa| usa samaya tumheM pUrNa dhairya rakhanA hai, kyoMki usa samaya tumhAre vartula ke Asa-pAsa bhUta, preta, DAkina, zAkina aura duSTa vyaMtara deva ekatrita hoMge aura mere yajJa ko khaNDita karane kA prayAsa kreNge| ve vividha rUpa dhAraNa kreNge| yaha upadrava mAtra Adhe prahara taka clegaa| kintu tumhAre hAtha meM maMtrasiddha kRpANa dekhakara ve sArI duSTa AtmAeM Age nahIM bar3ha paaeNgii| ThIka madhyarAtri meM merI sAdhanA pUrI hogI aura taba sArI duSTa AtmAeM adRzya ho jaaeNgii| phira kevala pradakSiNA kI kriyA zeSa rhegii|' vikrama ne kahA-'mahAtman! maiM jaba zava lene jAUMgA taba to mujhe vartula se bAhara nikalanA hI hogA?' 'hAM, kintu jo kucha upadrava hogA, vaha zava ko yahAM lAne ke pazcAt hI hogaa|' 'zava ko lAne ke lie jAte samaya kyA mujhe vizeSa anuSThAna karanA par3egA?' vikrama ne puuchaa| 'nahIM, kevala mauna rahanA hai|' yogI bolaa| 'ThIka hai| maiM isa kArya ko bhalI-bhAMti pAra lagA duuNgaa|' 'mujhe vizvAsa hai ki merA anuSThAna saphala hogaa| samaya ho gayA hai, aba hameM anuSThAna prAraMbha kara denA caahie|' yogI ne khaa| vIra vikramAditya 183

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yogI yajJakuNDa ke samakSa eka caukI para baiTha gayA aura vikrama ko pAsa meM bane vartula meM khar3A kara diyaa| phira yogI ne use eka maMtrasiddha kRpANa dete hue kahA- 'rAjan ! yaha maMtrasiddha kRpANa hai| isake prabhAva se koI bhI duSTa AtmA tumhAre pAsa nahIM A skegii| tuma nizciMta khar3e rahanA / ' vikrama kRpANa ko hAtha meM le dhairyapUrvaka khar3e ho ge| yogI ne maMtroccAraNa ke sAtha vividha sAmagriyoM se havana prArambha kiyaa| eka ora rakhe hue IMdhana ke Dhera se IMdhana DAlane lgaa| ardha prahara rAtri bItane ke pazcAt yogI ne vikrama kI ora dekhakara kahA - 'rAjan ! aba maiM maMtra - smaraNa meM baiThatA huuN| tuma jAo aura nirdiSTa vaTavRkSa para laTakate hue zava ko le aao|' tatkAla vikrama maMtrasiddha kRpANa hAtha meM lekara usa vaTavRkSa kI ora cle| mitra asAvadhAna na raha jAe athavA yogI kI kriyA meM tanmaya hokara saba kucha bhUla na jAe, yaha socakara vaitAla vahAM kabhI kA A gayA thaa| vaha adRzya rahakara saba kucha dekha rahA thaa| vaha bhI vikrama ke pIche-pIche gyaa| usane dekhA, eka zAkhA para mAnava zava laTaka rahA hai| vikrama ne apane iSTadeva pArzvanAtha kA smaraNa kiyA aura 'OM hrIM nama:' kA jApa kara vRkSa para car3he aura sAvadhAnIpUrvaka zava ko kaMdhoM para lAdakara vRkSa se nIce utre| vaha eka-do kadama cale hoMge ki kaMdhoM para par3A zava khilakhilAkara haMsa pdd'aa| yaha dekhakara vikrama ko Azcarya huA, kintu ve kiMcit bhI bhayabhIta nahIM hue aura yajJakuMDa kI ora agrasara hue| nirjIva zava bola uThA-'rAjan ! merI eka bAta suno, phira tuma mujhe le jAnA / ' vikrama khar3e raha gae / ve kucha bhI bolane kI sthiti meM nahIM the, kyoMki unheM mauna rahanA thaa| kaMdhe para par3e zava ne eka choTA-sA vRttAnta prArambha kiyA aura usakA anta eka prazna ke sAtha huA aura vikrama ne na cAhate hue bhI hAM bhara lii| tatkAla zava kaMdhoM se Upara uThA aura vRkSa kI zAkhA para jAkara laTaka gyaa| Azcarya ke sAtha vikrama ne dUsarI bAra zava ko zAkhA se utArA aura usane phira praznabharI kahAnI prArambha kii| prazna aise upasthita hote ki mauna tor3ane kI saMbhAvanA-sI lgtii| para, vikrama sAvaceta the| zava ne isa prakAra pacIsa vRttAnta sunAe / pacIsavIM bAta sunakara bhI vikrama mauna rahe aura Age bar3hane lage / usa samaya agnivaitAla vikrama ke samakSa prakaTa hokara bolA- 'mitra ! mujhe Apake prANoM kA bhaya laga rahA thA, isalie maiMne svayaM mRtadeha meM praveza kara itanA vilamba kiyaa| rAjan! yaha yogI atyanta duSTa hai aura nIca prakRti kA hai| aura Apa apane vacana kA bhaMga karane vAle nahIM haiM, isalie Apa merI aMtima bAta ko 184 vIra vikramAditya

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bhUla mata jAnA / use smRti meM banAe rkhnaa| yogI jaba Apako yajJakuNDa meM pradakSiNA dene ke lie kahe, taba Apako pradakSiNA nahIM denI hai aura yogI se hI pradakSiNA sIkhane ke bahAne usase pradakSiNA dilavAnI hai| jaba yogI tIsarI pradakSiNA pUrI kare, usI samaya ni:saMkoca aura abhaya hokara yogI ko uThAkara yajJakuNDa meM DAla denA hai; anyathA ApakI mRtyu nizcita hai| maiM yahIM upasthita rahUMgA, kintu yogI ke maMtra-prabhAva ke kAraNa maiM kucha bhI nahIM kara paauuNgaa|' vikrama ne eka hAtha UMcA kara vaitAla ko saMketa de diyA ki use aMtima bAta yAda hai / vikrama zava ko lekara yogI ke pAsa phuNce| yogI Akula-vyAkula ho rahA thaa| zava ko lAne meM itanA vilamba kyoM huA, yaha prazna use zalya kI bhAMti cubha rahA thaa| madhyarAtri ho gaI thii| yogI apane Asana se uTha sakane kI sthiti meM nahIM thA / vikrama ne yogI ke samakSa zava ko rakhA aura apane vartula meM jA khar3e ho ge| yogI bolA- 'rAjan ! itanA vilamba ?' vikrama ne kahA- 'mahAtman ! yaha zava bAra-bAra ur3akara vRkSa para jA laTakatA thaa| pacIsa bAra prayatna karane ke pazcAt isa zava ko yahAM lA sakA huuN|' 'koI bAta nahIM hai / aba tIsare prahara ke aMta meM hamArA kArya pUrA ho jaaegaa| tuma sAvadhAna rahanA / ' yogI bolA / yogI ne zava para eka ghar3A pAnI ddaalaa| phira usa para kucha sugandhita dravya DAle aura maMtroccArapUrvaka zava para darbha kA eka Asana bichaayaa| tatpazcAt yogI khar3A huA, donoM hAtha Upara uThAkara guhya bhASA meM maMtroccAra karane lgaa| usakA svara itanA pracaNDa thA ki sunane vAle kI chAtI phaTa jaae| phira vaha zava para vIrAsana kI mudrA meM baiTha gayA / vana- pradeza kA sArA vAtAvaraNa hila uThA / yogI ke muMha se jo maMtra-zabda nikala rahe the, ve atyanta bhayaMkara aura raudra the| eka ghaTikA bIta gii| apUrva dhairyazAlI vikrama bhI maMtroccAra sunakara kAMpa uThA / aba upadrava prArambha hue| aisA pratIta ho rahA thA ki bhayaMkara gajarAja, varAha aura siMha cAroM ora se A rahe haiN| bhUta aura pizAca vikarAla rUpa dhAraNa kara nAca rahe haiM, kilakAriyAM kara rahe haiN| vikrama sAvaceta the| unake hAtha kA kRpANa aMdhere meM bhI camaka rahA thA aura yogI kI rakSA kara rahA thA / yogI kI aMtima sAdhanA sampanna huii| jaise hI yogI zava se nIce utarA, sArI bhUtalIlA adRzya ho gaI aura yogI ne ullAsa bhare svaroM meM vikrama se kahA vIra vikramAditya 185 -

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'rAjan! maiM tumhArA upakAra jIvana-bhara nahIM bhUla sktaa| tumane Aja mere varSoM ke svapna ko sAkAra kiyA hai| aba koI bhaya nahIM hai| tumheM aba kevala tIna pradakSiNA isa yajJakuMDa kI denI hai|' dUra khar3A huA vaitAla atyanta vyathita ho rahA thaa| kintu vikrama kA uttara sunakara vaha zAnta ho gyaa| vikrama ne madhura svaroM se yogI ko kahA- 'mahAtman! maiM pradakSiNA kI vidhi nahIM jaantaa| kRpA kara Apa mujhe pradakSiNA dekara btaaeN| ApakI sAdhanA ke dRzyoM ko dekhakara maiM itanA Azcaryacakita bana gayA hUM ki mujhe kucha bhI bhAna nahIM hai|' yogI ko vikrama kI bAta meM koI saMzaya dikhAI nahIM diyaa| usane kahA'rAjan ! dekho, maiM isa sthAna se tIna pradakSiNA detA hUM, tumheM bhI isI prakAra se karanA hai| yaha kahakara yogI ne pradakSiNA prArambha kii| eka pradakSiNA pUrI huI, dUsarI pUrI huI aura jaise hI tIsarI pradakSiNA pUrI hone vAlI thI ki vikrama ne yogI ko donoM hAthoM se geMda kI taraha Upara uThAyA aura yajJakuNDa meM pheMka diyaa| usa samaya yajJakuNDa se jo jvAlAeM nikalIM, ve AkAza ko chU rahI thiiN| yogI kI cIkha se vAtAvaraNa kAMpa uThA aura kucha hI kSaNoM meM agni zAMta ho gii| vikrama ne sthira dRSTi se yajJakuNDa kI ora dekhaa| use svarNamayI mAnava pratimA camakatI huI vahAM dIkha par3I aura usI samaya vikrama ke kAnoM se gaMbhIra dhvani TakarAI- 'he vIra puruSa! maiM isa svarNapuruSa kA adhiSThAyaka deva gAMgeya huuN| he sAhasika puruSa! maiM tumheM isa sAhasa ke lie dhanyavAda detA huuN| isa svarNapuruSa ko tuma apane rAjabhavana meM le jAo aura isakI surakSA kro| dina meM tuma isa svarNapuruSa ke jitane aMga-pratyaMga kAToge, rAtri meM ve pUre vaise hI nirmita ho jaaeNge| tumheM eka bAta kA hI vizeSa dhyAna rakhanA hogA ki rAtri meM isa svarNapuruSa kA koI bhI aMga na kATA jaae| he vIra vikrama! isa svarNapuruSa se tumheM apAra svarNa kI prApti hogii| tuma isa dhana kA upayoga janakalyANa ke lie karanA / tumhArI kIrti cAroM ora phaila jaaegii|' itanA kahakara deva adRzya ho gyaa| aura taba vaitAla prakaTa huaa| vaitAla bolA- 'mahArAja! maiM Apako kina zabdoM meM dhanyavAdadUM? ApakA sAhasa dekhakara merA hRdaya bAMsoM uchala rahA hai| aba Apa rAjabhavana kI ora prasthAna kreN| maiM isa svarNapuruSa ko lekara rAjabhavana meM pahuMca rahA huuN|' vikrama apane mitra vaitAla se bole-'mitra! Aja jo kucha huA hai, vaha tere hI parAkrama se huA hai| tuma-jaise mitra jisako mile hoM, use kisI prakAra kA du:kha ho hI nahIM sktaa| mitra! maiM tumhArA AbhArI huuN|' 186 vIra vikramAditya

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38. siMdhupati kA saMdeza vIra vikrama apane khaNDa meM pahuMceM, usase pUrva hI vaitAla svarNapuruSa ko lekara vahAM pahuMca gyaa| vIra vikrama rAjabhavana meM praviSTa hue, usa samaya maMtrigaNa, mahApratihAra, rAniyAM Adi sabhI atyanta Akula-vyAkula ho rahe the| vikrama kisI ko kucha bhI sUcita kie binA cale gae the, isalie saba cintita the| cAroM ora unakI khoja ho rahI thii| mahArAjA ko prasannacitta Ate hue dekhakara mahApratihAra ajayasena ne unakA jaya-jayakAra kiyA aura vikrama apane azva se nIce utareM, usase pUrva hI vahAM pahuMcakara bolA-'kRpAnAtha! hamane pUrI rAta ApakI khojabIna kii| Apa kisa ora padhAra gae the?' eka sevaka ke hAtha meM azva sauMpakara vikrama bole- 'ajaya ! maiM eka dUsare kArya ke lie gayA thaa| bhavana meM saba kuzala to haiM na?' 'hAM, mahArAja! sabhI ApakI pratIkSA kara rahe haiN| mahAmaMtrI to kabhI se yahAM baiThe haiN|' 'calo, maiM A rahA hUM', kahakara vikrama agrasara hue| nIce ke khaNDa meM mahAmaMtrI tathA anya maMtrI mahArAjA kA jayanAda sunakara khaNDa se bAhara nikale aura apane priya rAjA ko dekhakara harSa-vibhora ho utthe| mahAmaMtrI bhaTTamAtra ne kahA- 'mahArAja! binA kisI ko sUcita kie Apa kahAM cale gae the?' vikrama ne haMsate hue kahA-'kala rAta meM eka adbhuta ghaTanA ghaTa gii| Apa yahAM baiTheM, maiM abhI A rahA huuN|' vikrama UparI khaMDa meM ge| vahAM donoM rAniyAM AturatApUrvaka pratIkSA kara rahI thiiN| svAmI ko dekhate hI donoM ke nayana Anandita ho ge| vikrama ne kahA'kala rAta meM jo ghaTanA ghaTI, vaha bar3I rocaka hai| maiM sabako btaauuNgaa| pahale snAna kI vyavasthA kro|' yaha kahakara vikrama apane kakSa meM ge| vahAM unhoMne dekhA ki jamIna para bichI huI eka gaddI para svarNapuruSa kI vizAla pratimA par3I hai aura vaitAla eka Asana para baiThA hai| vikrama ne muskarAte hue vaitAla kI ora dekhakara kahA'priya! tumhArI gati ko manuSya kaise pahuMca pAe? kaba A gae ?' vaitAla ne kahA- 'merI gati ko Apa jAnate hI haiN| maiM to vahAM se calA aura kSaNa-bhara meM yahAM pahuMca gyaa| aba mujhe jAne kI AjJA deN|' 'priya mitra! maiM tumhAre upakAra ko bhUla nahIM sktaa| maiM tumheM jAne kI AjJA kaise dUM?' vIra vikramAditya 187

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vaitAla ne kahA- 'mahArAja! merI teja-tarrAra patnI kA paricaya to Apane jAna hI liyA hai| yadi maiM yathAsamaya nahIM pahuMcA to....|' bIca meM hI vikrama bole- 'basa....basa....basa.... tumhArI priyA adRzya rahakara tumhArI bAteM suna legI aura taba use rAjI karane ke lie tumheM tapasyA karanI hogii| tuma khuzI se jaao|' haMsatA-haMsatA vaitAla adRzya ho gyaa| snAna Adi se nivRtta hokara vikrama ne donoM patniyoM aura maMtrimaNDala ke sadasyoM ke samakSa svarNapuruSa kI sArI ghaTanA sunaaii| sArI bAteM sunakara saba AzcaryavimUr3ha bana ge| mahAmaMtrI ne kahA- 'mahArAja! Apane bahuta khatarA uThAyA hai| aisA sAhasa kabhI-kabhI kaThinAI meM DAla detA hai|' 'mahAmaMtrI! kSatriya ke rakta meM sAhasa bharA huA hI hotA hai| manuSya yadi bhaya kA vicAra karatA rahe to kucha bhI nahIM kara sktaa|' svarNapuruSa ko rAjyabhaNDAra meM sthApita kara diyA gyaa| vikrama ne usake donoM hAtha-paira kATakara alaga kara die| usa svarNa kA upayoga jana-kalyANakArI kAryoM meM prArambha huaa| dina bItA aura dUsare dina svarNapuruSa ke donoM hAtha aura paira pUrvavat nirmita ho ge| yaha kArya pratidina hotaa| aba jana-kalyANa kI aneka yojanAeM prArambha huIM aura mAlavadeza kI janatA sukhI rahane lgii| idhara kazmIra se jo kalAkAra AyA thA, usane battIsa putaliyoM vAlA siMhAsana taiyAra kara diyaa| vaha siMhAsana lakar3I kA thA, kintu ratnajaTita svarNasA pratIta hone lgaa| eka dina zilpI amaradeva vaha cAmatkArika siMhAsana rAjA ke samakSa le gyaa| siMhAsana ko dekhakara mahArAjA vikramAditya atyanta prasanna hue aura use rAjabhavana meM rakha diyaa| zilpI amaradeva ne usa siMhAsana kI karAmAta samagra rAjasabhA ke samakSa dikhaaii| jyoMhI mahArAjA vikramAditya usa siMhAsana para baiThe, usa samaya battIsa putaliyoM ne apane-apane aMgoM kI maror3a se vividha hAvabhAva pradarzita kie| sabhI putaliyoM kI AMkheM ratnamaMDita thIM, isalie ve asalI AMkheM jaisI camaka rahI thiiN| sabhI putaliyAM apane nizcita zabda bolane lgiiN| yaha dekhakara sabhI Azcaryacakita raha ge| zilpI kI sahI sAdhanA to yahI hai ki vaha jar3a ko bhI cetana kA rUpa de detA hai| zilpI amaradeva ne yaMtraracanA ke dvArA nirjIva siMhAsana ko bhI jIvaMta banA DAlA thaa| vikrama ne zilpI ko chAtI se lagAte hue kahA-'amaradeva! vizva meM 188 vIra vikramAditya

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sabhI padArthoM kA mUlya ho sakatA hai, kintu kalA kA mUlya nahIM AMkA jA sktaa| kalA amUlya hotI hai| siMhAsana amUlya hai, phira bhI maiM naivedya ke rUpa meM tumheM eka gAMva bakhzIza karatA hUM aura sAtha hI gyAraha lAkha svarNa-mudrAeM bhI detA huuN|' amaradeva gadgada ho gayA aura mahArAjA ke caraNoM meM luTakara bolA'kRpAnAtha! Apane mujhe bahuta de ddaalaa| kalA ko dekhane vAle aneka hote haiM, para usake pujArI virale hI milate haiN| merI varSoM kI sAdhanA Aja saphala huii| yadi maiM kazmIra se yahAM nahIM AtA to merI kalA-sAdhanA ajJAta hI raha jaatii| Apane merA bahuta sammAna kiyA hai| aba maiM eka yAMtrika azva banAkara Apako samarpita kruuNgaa|' vikrama ne zilpI ke donoM hAtha pakar3akara uThAte hue kahA-"mitra! Aja se tuma avaMtI ke nAgarika bana gae ho| tumhArI kalA-sAdhanA dinoM-dina vRddhiMgata hotI rahe, vaha kabhI asta na ho, isalie tuma usameM naye-naye nikhAra lAte rhnaa| mere se jo kucha sahayoga apekSita hai, vaha pAte rhnaa|' rAjasabhA ne vikrama kA jayaghoSa kiyaa| dUsare hI dina amaradeva ko gAMva kA tAmrapatra prApta ho gayA aura gyAraha lAkha svarNa-mudrAeM bhI use de dI giiN| nirAza aura daridratA ke bhAra se dabA huA zilpI amaradeva atyanta prasanna huA aura naye jIvana ko pAkara dhanya bnaa| battIsa putaliyoM vAle siMhAsana kI cAmatkArika bAteM cAroM ora phailane lagIM aura chaha mahInoM ke pazcAt aneka rAjA, rAjakumAra, rAjapuruSa, kalAkAra, zilpI aura saudAgara usa siMhAsana ko dekhane ke lie Ane lge| sindhu deza ke pratApI rAjA ne jaba apane guptacaroM ke mAdhyama se siMhAsana kI bAta sunI, taba eka dUta ke sAtha unhoMne vikrama ko saMdeza bhejA-'rAjarAjezvara mAlavapati zrIvikramAditya ke kara-kamaloM meM isa patra dvArA siMdhupati rAjA zaMkhapAda yaha nivedana prastuta karate haiM ki Apane eka cAmatkArika siMhAsana banavAyA hai| isake phalasvarUpa Apane eka gAMva aura gyAraha lAkha svarNa-mudrAeM zilpI ko dI haiN| maiM Apako vinamra prArthanA karatA hUM ki siMhAsana ke badale Apako bIsa gAMva, bIsa hAthI, tIna sau azva aura tIna sau sundara aura javAna dAsiyAM tathA eka koTi svarNa-mudrAeM dene ke lie taiyAra huuN| mujhe vizvAsa hai Apa merI isa prArthanA para vicAra kreNge| Apa yaha bhI jAnate haiM ki kSatriya apanI bhAvanA ko pUrI karane meM saba kucha nyauchAvara kara DAlatA hai| vaha bhAvanA ko pUrNa kie binA nahIM rhtaa| Apa yaha bhI jAnate hI hoMge ki jIvana meM aneka bAra choTe prazna bahuta bar3e bana jAte haiM aura unakA pariNAma hotA hai vinAza! ApakA divya siMhAsana aisA hI eka choTA prazna hai aura vaha merI udAratA se halkA ho jaaegaa| Apa avazya hI merI bAta para dhyAna deNge.....iti|' vIra vikramAditya 186

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pavanavegI UMTanI para isa saMdeza ko lekara dUta sindhu deza se ravAnA huA aura sAtaveM dina mAlava deza kI rAjadhAnI avaMtI meM A phuNcaa| usane sindhupati kA saMdeza-patra vikramAditya ke hAthoM meM sauMpa diyaa| ___mahArAjA vikramAditya ne sindhupati kA saMdeza-patra mahAmaMtrI ko diyA aura rAjasabhA ke niyamAnusAra usakA vAcana huaa| patra ko sunakara sabhAsada tilamilA utthe| usa patra meM mAlavapati ko apamAnita karane jaisI bhAvanA thI aura dhamakI bhI thii| mahArAjA vikramAditya ne dUta kI ora dRSTipAta kara kahA-'dUta! mahArAjA sindhupati kSatriya haiM, yaha bAta ve jAnate haiM yA nahIM, isameM mujhe saMdeha hai| kyoMki rAjya-daNDa, rAjya-siMhAsana, rAjya-sattA aura rAjya-lakSmI-yecAra cIjeM mUlya se prApta nahIM kI jA sktiiN| tuma apane svAmI se kahanA ki vikrama vyApArI nahIM haiM, eka kSatriya haiN| yaha siMhAsana mUlya se prApta nahIM ho sktaa| isake pIche sarjakakI aneka varSoM kI tapasyA hai| dUta! tuma apane rAjezvara ko batAnA ki mUlya vastu kA ho sakatA hai, parantu bhAvanA aura tapasyA kA mUlya nahIM AMkA jA sktaa|' rAjadUta ne hAtha jor3akara vinamra zabdoM meM kahA-'rAjan! yadi hama dIrghadRSTi se socate haiM to yaha spaSTa pratIta hotA hai ki siMhAsana mAtra eka vastu hai| vastu kA mUlya hotA hai| Apa yadi ise kisI dUsarI zarta para denA cAheM to btaaeN|' mahAmaMtrI ne kahA-'rAjadUta! mahArAja vikrama nejo satya kahA hai, vaha tumhArI samajha meM nahIM AyA, aisA lagatA hai| vastu kA vinimaya karanA vyApArI kA kAma hai, kSatriya kA nhiiN| yadi mahArAjA zaMkhapAdabheMTa-svarUpa siMhAsana kI yAcanA karate to mAlavanAtha avazya hI unakI yAcanA pUrNa karate, kyoMki unake dvAra se koI bhI yAcaka khAlI nahIM lautttaa| kintu mahArAjA zaMkhapAda ne saMdeza-patra meM dhamakI dI hai, isakA spaSTa artha tuma batA sakate ho?' dUta ne mahAmaMtrI se kahA- 'maMtrIzvara ! mere svAmI kA saMketa spaSTa hai, phira bhI Apa spaSTatA cAhate haiM to mujhe kahanA par3egA ki mahArAjA zaMkhapAda eka balavAna mahArathI haiN| unakA bhujabala gAMdhAra taka vyApta hai| unake sainika raNazUra haiN| ve pIche haTanA jAnate hI nhiiN| unakI azva-senA saMsAra kA eka Azcarya hai| kintu eka choTe-se prazna ke lie mitra-rAjyoM se TakarAhaTa ho, yaha ucita nahIM hai|' vikrama ne kahA-'rAjadUta! merI zarta se hI yaha siMhAsana prApta ho sakatA hai, anyathA nhiiN|' dUta ne socA, sindhu kI senA kI kIrti sunakara vikrama bhayabhIta ho gaye haiN| vaha harSa-bhare svaroM meM bolA- 'kRpAnAtha! ApakI zarta kyA hai, vaha mujhe btaaeN|' vikrama bole- 'rAjadUta! siMdhupati se tuma kahanA ki ve avaMtI meM avazya padhAreM aura jaba maiM prAta:kAla yAcakoM ko dAna detA hUM, usa samaya yAcaka banakara 160 vIra vikramAditya

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isa cAmatkArika siMhAsana kI yAcanA kreN| maiM udAratApUrvaka yaha siMhAsana unheM dAna meM duuNgaa| yadi unheM apanI zakti kA garva hai to ve apanI zakti ke sAtha yahAM AeM, maiM yathAyogya unakA svAgata karUMgA aura ve apanI zakti ke sahAre isa siMhAsana ko prApta kreN| yadi ve yahAM Ane kA zrama na uThAnA cAheM to maiM unake isa saMdeza kA uttara dene aura unakI zakti kI thAha lene svayaM vahAM pahuMca jaauuNgaa|' dUta ne roSa-bhare svaroM meM kahA- 'rAjan ! Apane hamAre mahArAjA kA bahuta bar3A tiraskAra kiyA hai| kSatriya kabhI yAcakanahIM hotaa| vaha apanI icchA zakti ke sahAre hI pUrI karatA hai, isalie Apa yuddha ke lie taiyAra rheN|' dUsare hI dina mahArAjA vikramAditya ne mahAbalAdhikRta ko caturaMgiNI senA sajjita karane kI AjJA de dii| 36. jaya-parAjaya rAjA zaMkhapAda kA dUta siMdhu deza kI rAjadhAnI meM pahuMce, usase pUrva hI avaMtI se ravAnA huA guptacara sIdhe rAste se vahAM pahuMca gyaa| dUta zaMkhapAda kI rAjasabhA meM phuNcaa| rAjA ne arthabharI dRSTi se usakI ora dekhaa| dUta zaMkhapAda ke pAsa gayA, praNAma kara bolA-'siMdhupati kI jaya ho| Apake saMdeza kA javAba mujhe mila gayA hai| Apa jahAM kaheM, vahAM use nivedita kruuN|' zaMkhapAda bole-'yahIM batA de| tU itanA ghabarAyA huA kyoM hai?' dUta ne kahA-'kRpAnAtha! vahAM kI bAta hI kucha ajaba-sI hai| battIsa putaliyoM vAle siMhAsana ke viSaya meM Apane jo sunA hai, usase bhI vaha adhika sundara hai| maiMne svayaM apanI AMkhoM se use dekhA hai| svarNa kI sundara aura jIvaMta dIkhane vAlI putaliyAM, vikrama jaba siMhAsana para baiThate haiM, taba hAvabhAva, nRtya Adi karatI haiN| jaba ve bolatI haiM, taba aisA pratIta hotA hai ki battIsa lar3akiyAM sacetana avasthA meM bola rahI haiN| vaha siMhAsana atyanta mUlyavAn ratnoM se jaTita hai| aisA siMhAsana indra ke pAsa bhI hogA yA nahIM, isameM saMdeha hai| isa siMhAsana ko dekhakara maiMne pahale to socA ki ApakA saMdeza vikrama ko nadUM, kintu maiMne vaha saMdeza vikrama ko diyaa| saMdeza ko par3hane ke pazcAt mahArAjA vikrama ne kahA- 'rAjyadaNDa, rAjyasiMhAsana, rAjyasattA aura rAjyalakSmI-yecAra mUlya se nahIM miltii| vikrama ne yaha bhI kahA ki ve kSatriya haiM, vinimaya karane vAle baniye nahIM haiN| maiMne unako samajhAyA aura kisI bhI zarta para siMhAsana dene kI bAta khii| unhoMne merI prArthanA svIkAra karane ke badale vicitra uttara diyA, jisako batAte hue merI jIbha lar3akhar3A rahI hai|' vIra vikramAditya 161

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zaMkhapAda siMhAsana se uThe aura teja svaroM meM bole- 'bhRgudeva! vikrama ne jo kahA hai, vaha hameM binA kisI hicakicAhaTa ke btaao|' dUta bhRgudeva ne kahA- 'kRpAnAtha! rAjA vikrama pratidina yAcakoM ko dAna dete haiN| usa samaya yadi Apa yAcaka banakara siMhAsana kI mAMga karate haiM to vaha Apako mila sakatA hai| dUsarI zarta yaha hai ki yadi rAjA zaMkhapAda yAcanA kara siMhAsanale jAnA nahIM cAhate haiM, to ve apane bhujabala se use prApta kreN| vikrama ne yaha bhI kahA ki aba hamArA milana samarAMgaNa meM hogaa| maiM taba unakA pUrNa svAgata kruuNgaa|' __rAjA zaMkhapAda vicAramagna ho gye| rAjasabhA ke sabhI sadasyoM ne ise siMdhu deza ke nAyaka kA bar3A apamAna maanaa| sabane yahI socA ki saste dAna se kIrti prApta karane vAle vikrama kyA yaha mAna baiThe haiM ki siMdhu deza kI rajapUtI mara gaI hai| rAjA zaMkhapAda ne maMtrigaNa, senApatiyoM tathA anyAnya parAmarzadAtAoM se maMtraNA kara pandraha dina ke pazcAt avaMtI para AkramaNa karane ke lie caturaMgiNI senA ko kUca karane kA Adeza diyaa| siMdhu deza se Aye hue mAlava deza ke guptacara ne sArI sthiti kI pUrI jAnakArI kara avaMtI kI ora prasthAna kara diyaa| vIra vikrama jAnate the ki siMdhudezAdhipati zaMkhapAda yuddha kI sthiti utpanna karegA, isalie unhoMne eka saptAha ke bhItara hI bIsa hajAra kI caturaMgiNI senA sajjita kara siMdhu deza kI ora use kUca karane kA Adeza de diyaa| ve svayaM senA ke sAtha the| pandraha dina bIta ge| mahArAjA zaMkhapAda ke senAnAyaka eka lAkha kI senA sajjita karanA cAhate the, para ve kevala bIsa hajAra kI senA taiyAra kara paae| mahArAjA ciMtita hue| unhoMne isI senA ko lekara avaMtI para AkramaNa karane kI bAta socii| rAjA zaMkhapAdaapanI rAjadhAnI se kUca kareM, usase pUrva hI mahArAjA vikrama kI senA ne siMdhu deza kI sImA meM praveza kara diyaa| yaha samAcAra rAjA zaMkhapAda taka pahuMcA aura ve apanI sajjita senA ko lekara samarabhUmi meM vikrama kA svAgata karane sImA para pahuMcane ke lie prasthita ho ge| siMdhu deza kI rAjadhAnI se mAtra cAlIsa kosa kI dUrI para donoM senAeM Amane-sAmane mila giiN| vikrama ne eka dUta ke dvArA yaha saMdeza bhejA ki yadi zaMkhapAda kSamA mAMgakara ghara cale jAeM, to maiM unheM prANadAna de sakatA huuN| merA unase koI vaira nahIM hai| maiM unheM mitra-rAjA mAnane ke lie taiyAra huuN| choTe kAraNoM se deza ko vinAza ke kagAra para lA khar3A karanA kSatriya kA dharma nahIM hai| 162 vIra vikramAditya

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dUta ne yaha saMdeza diyA aura mahArAjA zaMkhapAda ne isakA uttara diyA usa dUta kA sira dhar3a se alaga kr| dUsare dina bhayaMkara yuddha chir3a gyaa| cAra dinoM taka ghamAsAna yuddha huaa| aneka vIra yoddhA maarege| hajAroM ghAyala ho ge| siMdhu deza kI senA ke paira ukhar3ane lge| ve pIche haTane lge| rAjA vikrama ne apane senAnAyakoM se maMtraNA kara yaha nizcita kiyA ki mahArAjA zaMkhapAda ko jIvita baMdI banA liyA jaae| yuddha bhayAnaka sthiti se gujara rahA thaa| siMdhu deza kI senA samarabhUmi ko chor3akara bhAgane lgii| mAlava deza ke sainikoM ne usakA pIchA kiyaa| sAtaveM dina zaMkhapAda apane senApatiyoM ke sAtha zaraNAgata ho gyaa| siMdhu deza ke lagabhaga bAraha hajAra sainika pakar3e gae aura sabhI ne vIra vikrama kI zaraNa lii| mahArAjA vikrama kI jIta huii| mahArAjA zaMkhapAda parAjita hue| mahArAjA vikrama apane sAthiyoM ke sAtha eka vizAla paTagRha meM baiThe the| itane meM hI unake senAnAyakoM ne zaMkhapAda ko bandI avasthA meM upasthita kiyaa| senApati ne vikrama se kahA-'kRpAnAtha! apane bhujabala se mAlava kI janatA ko pIsa dene kA svapna dekhane vAle rAjA zaMkhapAda Apake samakSa upasthita haiN|| vikrama ne dekhA ki zaMkhapAda mastaka jhukAe khar3A hai| unhoMne mahApratihAra ajaya se kahA-'ajaya! rAjA zaMkhapAda ko baMdhanamukta kro|' tatkAla senApati ne kahA-'kRpAnAtha! Apa yaha kyA kara rahe haiM?' vikrama ne muskarAte hue kahA- 'senApatijI! maiMne kSAtra-dharma kA pratinidhitva karane vAlI AjJA dI hai| hama kisI ke rAjya para AkramaNa karanA nahIM cAhate the| hama mAtra zaMkhapAda ko kSAtra-dharma kI smRti karAnA cAhate the aura vaha hamane kiyA hai|' __ zaMkhapAda ko baMdhanamukta kara diyA gyaa| phira vikrama ne zaMkhapAda ko aneka zikSAprada bAteM khiiN| zaMkhapAda vikrama kI udAratA se gadgada ho gyaa| usane kahA-'mahArAja! Apane mere para apAra kRpA kI hai| yadi Apa mujhe bodhapATha nahIM dete to merA garva AkAza ko chUne lgtaa| Apa mahAn haiN|' vikrama ne khar3e hokara zaMkhapAda ko chAtI se lagAte hue kahA- 'rAjan! aba Apa mukta haiN| eka bAta yAda rakheM, manuSya kA garva usako mATI meM milA DAlatA hai| isa choTe se saMgrAma meM Apake zUravIroM kA kAphI nukasAna huA hai| mere bhI caudaha vIra vikramAditya 163

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sau vIra vIragati ko prApta hue haiM / maiM pratizodha lenA nahIM caahtaa| Apake sabhI baMdI sainikoM ko bhI maiM mukta karatA huuN|' zaMkhapAda naujavAna vikrama ke caraNoM meM luTha gayA aura bolA-'kRpAnAtha! Apane mujhe kSamA kiyA hai, yaha ApakA mahAn upakAra hai| Apane merI AMkheM khola diiN| aba Apa merI eka prArthanA svIkAra kreN|' vikrama ne haMsakara kahA-'mitra! yadi Apako battIsa putalI vAlA siMhAsana cAhie to bheja duuN....|' __ 'nahIM.....mahArAja!....aise siMhAsana para baiThane kI yogyatA kahAM hai mere meN| maiM dUsarI prArthanA karanA cAhatA huuN|' vikrama ne praznabharI dRSTi se zaMkhapAda kI ora dekhaa| zaMkhapAda ne kahA- 'mahArAja! Apa hamArI rAjadhAnI meM pdhaareN| merI bahana lIlAdevI atyanta sundara aura suyogya hai| usakA pANigrahaNa kara Apa hameM kRtArtha kreN|' vikrama ne zaMkhapAda kI isa prArthanA ko svIkAra kiyaa| ve rAjadhAnI meM ge| siMdhu deza kI janatA ne unakA bhAvabhInA svAgata kiyaa| tIsare dina vikrama ke sAtha lIlAdevI kA vivAha ho gyaa| mahArAjA zaMkhapAda ne daheja meM pracura dhana diyaa| mahArAjA vikrama ATha dina taka vahAM ruke aura nauveM dina apanI ajeya senA aura navavadhU ko sAtha le mAlava deza kI ora cala pdd'e| 40. bhIla dampati siMdhurAja zaMkhapAda para vijaya prApta karane aura unakI bahana lIlAdevI ke sAtha vivAha karane kI bAta avaMtI meM pahuMca gaI thii| avaMtI kI prajA apane dhIra-udAra rAjA ke Agamana kI pratIkSA kara rahI thii| aura jisa dina vIra vikrama avaMtI se sAta kosa dUra rahe, taba hajAroM puravAsI jana apane priya rAjA kA vardhApana karane ke lie vahAM pahuMca ge| aura dUsare dina prathama prahara meM janatA ke apUrva utsAha ke sAtha vIra vikrama ne apanI nayI vadhU ke sAtha avaMtI meM praveza kiyaa| rAjabhavana meM jaba pahuMce, taba vahAM donoM rAniyoM ne apane svAmI aura nayI rAnI ko puSpamAlAeM arpita kii| siMdhu deza kI vijaya kA samAcAra nagarI ke ghara-ghara meM prasRta ho gyaa| logoM ke mana meM apane mahArAjA ke prati prema kA samudra umar3a pdd'aa| unhoMne apanA premabhAva vyakta karane ke lie ATha dinoM taka vijayotsava mnaayaa| 164 vIra vikramAditya

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Der3ha varSa kA samaya palaka bhara meM bIta gyaa| Der3ha varSa ke alpakAla meM vikrama ne gyAraha rAjAoM kA mAnamardana aura bAIsa rAja-kanyAoM ke sAtha pANigrahaNa kara apane anta:pura ko bddh'aayaa| unhoMne apanI eka patnI devI sukumArI ko bhulA diyA thaa| vaha apane pIhara meM rahatI huI apane ekAkI putra ke lAlana-pAlana meM samaya bItA rahI thii| vikrama svastha the, tejasvI the, yuvA the aura kIrti ke azvoM para car3he hue the| isalie aneka rAja-kanyAoM ne inheM mana-hI-mana apanA pati svIkAra kara liyA thaa| una sabake sAtha pANigrahaNa karanA inake lie anivArya ho gayA thaa| eka dina vikrama rAjabhavana ke udyAna ke eka baiThaka-gRha meM apane maMtriyoM, subhaToM tathA anyAnya rAjyAdhikAriyoM ke sAtha baiThe the| usa samaya eka paradezI atyanta sundara, tejasvI aura zubha lakSaNoM se yukta do azvoM ko lekara usa upavana meM aayaa| dvAra ke pAsa khar3e mahApratihAra ne pUchA- 'bhAI, kaise Ae ho?' paradezI bolA-'mAlavanAtha kI prazaMsA sunakara maiM apane donoM azvoM ko becane AyA huuN|' mahApratihAra ne yaha samAcAra mahArAjA vIra vikrama ko diyaa| vIra vikrama ke mana meM uttama azvoM ke prati bahuta anurAga thaa| ve azvoM kA nirIkSaNa karane ke lie baiThaka-gRha se bAhara Ae aura azvoM ko dekhate hI unake prati AkRSTa ho ge| donoM azva uttama lakSaNoM vAle the| donoM azvoM ke zarIra para paMca-kalyANaka the| unakI azvazAlA meM hajAroM azva the, para ina-jaisA eka bhI azva nahIM thaa| vikrama ne mahAmaMtrI kI ora dekhaa| mahAmaMtrI ne kahA- 'mahArAja! azva atyanta sundara haiM, kintu inakI sahI parIkSA Apa hI kara sakeMge, kyoMki azvazAstra meM Apa niSNAta haiN|' vikrama ne mahAbalAdhikRta kI ora dekhA / mahAbalAdhikRta ne utsAha bhare svaroM meM kahA- 'kRpAnAtha! donoM azva devakoTi ke haiM, uttama haiN|' vikrama ne donoM azva kharIda liye aura paradezI ne jo mUlya mAMgA, usase adhika mUlya dekara use saMtuSTa kiyaa| do sevaka donoM azvoM ko azvazAlA meM le ge| eka subhaTa bolA-'kRpAnAtha! azva ati uttama haiM, parantu eka bAra parIkSA kara inheM kharIdA jAtA to acchA thaa|' vikrama ne kahA- 'aba azva apane hI adhIna haiN| jaba cAheMge, taba parIkSA kara leNge| hama Thage gaye nahIM haiN|' vIra vikramAditya 165

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sabhI ne vikrama ke zabdoM ko sarAhA aura dUsare hI dina eka azva kI parIkSA karane kA nizcaya ho gyaa| dUsare dina madhyAhna ke pazcAt kucheka maMtriyoM, mitroM, subhaToM aura rakSakoM ke sAtha eka azva ko lekara vikrama gAMva ke bAhara gae aura azva kI gati, cAla Adi kI parIkSA karane ke lie ve eka chalAMga mArakara usa para ArUr3ha ho ge| usI kSaNa azva donoM pairoM se nRtya karane lgaa| sabhI darzakoM ne dhanya-dhanya kA ghoSa kiyaa| mahApratihAra aura dasa rakSaka bhI apane-apane azvoM para savAra ho ge| aura vIra vikrama ne apane tejasvI azva ko gatimAna kiyaa| azva cauNkaa| usakA raktathanathanA utthaa| usanevAyuvega se gtipkdd'ii| yahagati dekhakara saba avAka raha gae-vAha-vAha! kyA azva hai, mAno ki yaha vAyu kI pAMkhoM se ur3a rahA hai....! isakI kyA gati hai mAno ki dhanuSa se chUTA huA bANa ho! darzakoM ne yahI socA thA ki vIra vikrama eka cakkara lagAkara lauTa aaeNge| kintu azva vAyuvega se daur3A jA rahA thA aura becAre mahApratihAra aura sabhI rakSaka pIche raha gaye the| vIra vikrama kA azva dRSTi se ojhala ho gyaa| azva kI gati bahuta tIvra thii| vikrama ko yaha gati bahuta rucikara thii| unako yaha vizvAsa thA ki isa azva para kahIM bhI jAne meM samaya kI bacata hogii| kintu....are, yaha kyA? azva puna: mur3a hI nahIM rahA thaa| vikrama jaise-jaise azva ko thAmane kA prayatna karate the, azva kI gati bar3hatI jAtI thii| eka ghaTikA....do ghaTikA....cAra ghaTikA...aura sUrya astAcala kI ora jAne lgaa| phira bhI azva kI gati vaisI hI thii| azva kisa dizA meM jA rahA hai, yaha bhI vikrama ko jJAta nahIM thaa| azva eka vana-pradeza meM praveza kara cukA thA aura Ubar3a-khAbar3a mArga para cala rahA thaa| vikrama ke sabhI prayatna niSphala ho cuke the| ve azva ko roka nahIM paae| rAta pdd'ii| vana-pradeza meM aMdhakAra vyApta ho gyaa| azva hAMpha rahA thA, phira bhI vaha avirAma gati se daur3a rahA thaa| vikrama bhI thakakara cUra ho gae the| isa prakAra kI gati kI eka dhArA meM pravAsa karanA sarala kArya nahIM hai| vana-pradeza ke eka agocara bhAga meM vaha thakA-mAMdA azva acAnaka ruka gyaa| tatkAla vikrama azva se nIce utara ge| azva kAMpa rahA thaa| usakA sAMsa phUla rahA thaa| vaha tRSA se atyanta Akula ho rahA thaa| vikrama bhI thaka gae the| ve eka vRkSa ke nIce vizrAma lene ke lie jAeM, usase pahale hI azva dhar3Ama se pRthvI para gira pdd'aa| usake prANa ur3a ge| vikrama ne yaha dRzya dekhaa| unakA sira cakarAne lgaa| bhUkha aura pyAsa se ve Akula the| vRkSa ke pAsa pahuMcate-pahuMcate ve bhI mUrcchita hokara jamIna para gira pdd'e| 166 vIra vikramAditya

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unake pIche azvoM para Ate hue mahApratihAra aura rakSaka kahAM haiM, kauna kalpanA kara sakatA hai? isa sunasAna vana-pradeza meM vikrama ko azva se utarate hue dekhakara eka bhIla, jo udhara se nikala rahA thA, ne socA-koI paradezI pathika bhaTaka gayA hai, aisA pratIta hotA hai| usane dekhA-azva jamIna para niDhAla par3A hai| vaha nikaTa gyaa| azvArohI ko nIce par3A dekhakara bhIla ke Azcarya kA pAra nahIM rhaa| vaha azva ke nikaTa gyaa| azva prANa tor3a cukA thA aura azvArohI mUrcchita par3A thaa| eka kSaNa kA bhI vilamba kie binA vaha bhIla nikaTa ke bahate jharane para gayA aura kaMdhe para rakhA kapar3A pAnI meM bhigokara daur3atA huA lauttaa| mUrcchita azvArohI ko saceta karane ke lie usane vaha bhIgA kapar3A nicodd'aa| AMkha-mukha para pAnI kI dhAra pdd'ii| zItala jala ke sparza se vikrama saceta hue| AMkheM kholakara unhoMne Asa-pAsa dekhaa| bhIla bolA-'bhAI! tuma baittho| tumhAre cehare ko dekhane se lagatA hai ki tuma bhUkha aura pyAsa se Akula ho rahe ho| merA nivAsa pAsa meM hI hai| tuma mere sAtha clo|' vikrama uTha baitthe| unhoMne bhIla kI ora dekhate hue jamIna para niDhAla par3e azva para najara ddaalii| bhIla bolA-'bhAI! tumhArA azva to mara gyaa| kyA tuma bhaTaka gae ho yA kisI kAryavaza isa rAste se jA rahe ho?' vikrama bole-'bhAI! yaha sthAna kauna-sA hai?' 'yaha sthAna rAjA vIra vikrama kA mahAvana hai, kintu isa mArga se koI pathika AtA nhiiN| tuma kauna ho? kahAM rahate ho?' vikrama ne bhIla kI ora prasanna-dRSTi se dekhate hue kahA-'bhAI! jisakA yaha vana-pradeza hai, maiM vahI vikrama huuN| maiM azva kI parIkSA karane nikalA thaa| azva vAyuvega se daur3ane lgaa| aneka upAya karane para bhI vaha rukA nhiiN| maiM avaMtI se kitanI dUra A gayA hUM, isakI mujhe kalpanA bhI nahIM hai|' apane rAjA ko sAmane dekhakara bhIla kA hRdaya nAca utthaa| vaha bolA'mahArAja! avaMtI yahAM se pacAsa kosa dUra hai| Apa mere AMgana ko pavitra kreN|' vikrama khar3e hue aura bhIla ke pIche-pIche calane lge| kucha dUra jAne para eka Tekar3I dikhAI dii| rAtri kA andhakAra thA, phira bhI bhIla usa mArga para calane kA abhyasta thaa| vaha bolA- 'mahArAja! isa sAmane dIkhane vAlI Tekar3I meM merI guphA hai| Apako vahAM ArAma milegaa|' donoM kucha cale aura Tekar3I para car3hane lge| guphA dikhAI dii| vikrama ne dekhA ki guphA se maMda-maMda prakAza A rahA hai| donoM guphA meM ge| vahAM koI bichaunA vIra vikramAditya 167

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yA gaddI nahIM thI, kevala eka choTI-sI khATa thii| bhIla ne khATa bichAyI aura vikrama ko vahAM biThA diyaa| bhIla ne eka kone meM rasoI banA rahI bhIlanI kI ora dekhakara kahA-'are, suna! Aja hamAre ghara mAlavA ke nAtha atithi hue haiN| jaldI se pAnI lA aura rasoI kucha acchI bnaanaa|' bhIlanI khar3I huii| pAnI kA pAtra aura miTTI kI parAta lekara vikrama ke sAmane aayii| rAjA ne zItala pAnI piyaa| pAnI pIte hI mAno sAre zarIra meM prANasaMcAra ho gyaa| eka sAtha pAMca-sAta gilAsa pAnI pI liyaa| phira bhIlanI kI ora dRSTi kara kahA- 'bahana! yahAM koI dUsare parivAra bhI rahate haiM yA nahIM?' uttara dete samaya bhIlanI zaramA gii| cUlhe meM jo lakar3iyAM jala rahI thIM, unake prakAza meM vikrama ne dekhA ki bhIla aura bhIlanI donoM meM atyanta prema hai| bhIla ne kahA- 'mahArAja! yahAM to kevala maiM aura merI patnI-do hI rahate haiN| kintu ekAdha kosa ke parisara meM do-tIna parivAra aura rahate haiN| isa vana meM siMha-bAgha Adi kA bhaya rahatA hai, isalie hameM isa prakAra kI guphA meM rahanA par3atA hai|' vanavAsI bhIla kI bAtoM meM vIra vikrama ko rasa A rahA thaa| ve aneka prazna pUcha rahe the| bhIla uttara de rahA thaa| bhIlanI cUlhe ke pAsa calI gii| ___ usane mana-hI-mana socA, Aja hamAre AMgana meM rAjA Ae haiM, kintu unake Atithya ke lie bAjare ke sivAya kucha hai nhiiN| cUlhe para rAbar3I paka rahI hai| kintu aba kyA ho? abhI aura kucha mila nahIM sktaa| yaha socakara bhIlanI bAjare ke roTa banAne baitthii| jisa vyakti ko pAnI mAMgate samaya svarNapAtra meM dUdha milatA thA aura bhojana meM battIsa prakAra kI sAmagriyAM parosI jAtI thIM, chabbIsa-chabbIsa patniyAM jisakI sevA meM khar3I rahatI thIM, usa rAjA vikrama ko Aja miTTI ke pAtra kA pAnI bahuta mIThA lagA thA aura bhUkha itanI tIvra thI ki kucha bhI sAmane Ae, vaha use udarastha kara lenA cAhate the| roTa taiyAra ho gae, taba bhIlanI ne saMketa se apane pati bhIla ko nikaTa bulAkara kahA-'isa rAbar3I aura roTa ke atirikta ghara meM kucha bhI nahIM hai| dUdha bhI aba mila nahIM sktaa|' bhIla bolA-'are, lahasuna kA masAlA hai yA nahIM?' 'hAM, kucha par3A hai| kucha sUkhI huI mirace bhI haiN|' 'ThIka hai, jo ho vaha jaldI le aa| usa parAta meM rAbar3I nikaal| roTI patthara ke paTTa para rkheNge|' yaha kahakara bhIla vikrama ke pAsa gyaa| bhIlanI ne do pAtra rAbar3I se bhre| patthara ke eka paTTa para roTa aura masAlA rkhaa| rAjA vikrama aura 168 vIra vikramAditya

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bhIla-donoM bhojana karane baitthe| roTa itanA moTA aura majabUta thA ki yadi kisI ke kapAla para usakA prahAra kiyA jAe to bar3A phor3A ho jaae| kintu vaha roTa Aja vikrama ko itanA mIThA laga rahA thA ki usakI miThAsa ke samakSa rAjabhavana ke pakavAna phIke ho gae the| jo rAbar3I kaidI bhI nahIM khA sakate, vaha vikrama ko amRta jaisI laga rahI thii| rAbar3I meM aura kucha nahIM thA, kevala bAjare kA ATA, chAcha, pAnI aura nmk| jaba vyakti bhUkhA hotA hai taba koI bhI bhojana mIThA lagatA hai| bhUkha ke binA jaba bhojana karanA hotA hai, taba lalacAne vAlI aneka sAmagrI banAnI par3atI hai| vikrama ne do bar3e pAtra bharakara rAbar3I pI aura eka roTa khaayaa| itanA bhojana unhoMne ina varSoM meM kabhI nahIM kiyA thaa| bhIla ne mahArAja ke hAtha dhulAe / pAnI pilaayaa| usane bhI byAlU kara liyA thaa| zeSa jo bacA, use bhIlanI ne khA liyaa| usane eka lakkar3a aisA jalA rakhA thA, jo rAta-bhara dhIre-dhIre jalatA hai aura maMda-maMda prakAza phailAtA rahatA hai| vikrama Aja bahuta thaka gae the| yahAM se avaMtI kaise pahuMcA jAe, yaha prazna unheM satA rahA thaa| bhIla dampati ke AtithyabhAva se ve bahuta prasanna the| bhIlanI jaba byAlU sampanna kara bhIla ke pAsa Akara baiTha gaI taba vikrama bole- 'bhIlarAja! Aja se tuma mere mitra bana gae ho| yadi Aja tumhArA sahayoga mujhe prApta nahIM hotA to merA kyA hotA, kauna jAne ? aura tuma donoM ne Adhe bhUkhe rahakara mujhe khilAyA, yaha upakAra maiM jIvana bhara nahIM bhuuluuNgaa|' bhIla ne haMsate-haMsate kahA- 'mahArAja! isameM upakAra kaisA? hama to vanavAsI haiN| vana meM idhara-udhara ghUmate haiM aura do roTiyoM kA iMtajAma kara lete haiM, kintu jaba hamAre AMgana meM koI atithi A jAtA hai to hamArA bhI to koI kartavya hotA hai ! isa prakAra jaba bAteM karate-karate AdhI rAta bIta gaI taba bhIla ne usa TUTIphUTI khATa para eka phaTA kapar3A bichAkara vikrama ko usa para sone ke lie prArthanA kii| vikrama tatkAla vahAM gae aura kucha hI kSaNoM meM ghora nidrAdhIna ho ge| yaha dekhakara bhIla ne bhIlanI se kahA-'ta isa kone meM so jaa| rAta meM mahArAja yadi jAgeM aura kucha mAMgeM to unheM de denaa| maiM guphA ke dvAra para patthara rakhakara paharA duuNgaa|' yaha kahakara bhIla guphA ke bAhara calA gayA aura eka bar3A patthara guphA ke dvAra para Ar3e rakhakara svayaM paharA dene bAhara baiTha gayA; kyoMki yadi svayaM guphA ke bhItara so jAe to guphA kA dvAra banda nahIM kiyA jA sakatA aura yadi dvAra khulA rahe to koI bhI hiMsaka prANI andara Akara atithi ko kaThinAI meM DAla sakatA hai| vIra vikramAditya 166

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vikrama guphA ke bhItara gaharI nIMda meM so rahe the aura eka kone meM bhIlanI par3I thI / use nIMda nahIM A rahI thii| jaba bAnave lAkha prajA ke svAmI sAmane so rahe hoM to bhalA nIMda kaise Ae aura jaba ve jAgeM aura kucha mAMgeM, usa samaya yadi svayaM so jAe to atithi ko kitanA kaSTa ho, yaha socakara vaha jAgatI huI so rahI thii| bahuta bAra aisA hotA hai ki manuSya jAgRta rahane kA nirNaya karatA hai, taba hI pRthvI kI sArI nIMda use A gheratI hai| bhIlanI do ghaTikA paryanta jAgatI rahI, phira acAnaka usakI AMkheM laga gaIM aura vaha nidrAdhIna ho gaI / rAta kA tIsarA prahara cala rahA thaa| bAhara pahare para baiThe bhIla kI AMkhoM meM nIMda ne DerA DAlA aura acAnaka usane bAgha kI huMkAra sunii| samagra vana- pradeza ko prakaMpita kara dene vAlI usa huMkAra ko sunakara bhIla khar3A ho gayA aura Asa-pAsa dekhane lagA / itane meM hI mRtyu kA rUpa dhAraNa kara bAgha bhIla para jhpttaa| bhIla eka cIkha ke sAtha bhUmi para lur3haka gyaa| prayatna kara vaha uThA aura bAgha se jUjhane lagA / saMyogavaza bhIla kI lAThI eka ora gira gaI thii| bAgha bhIla para uchalA aura usakI chAtI ko cIra ddaalaa| bhIla ke muMha se eka karuNa cIkha nikalI aura vaha sadA ke lie zAnta ho gyaa| yaha cIkha aura bAgha kA huMkAra sunakara vIra vikrama khATa se uTha khar3e hue| bhIlanI bhI uTha gaI / vikrama ne kahA- 'bahana, jaldI dvAra khola / bAhara kucha ghaTanA ghaTI hai|' bhIlanI ne prakAza ke lie jalatI huI lakar3I ko hAtha meM liyA aura vaha dvAra kI ora jAte hue bolI- 'mahArAja ! guphA ke dvAra ke Ar3e patthara rakhA huA hai| mere svAmI ke sivAya koI use haTA nahIM sakatA / ' vikrama tatkAla Age bar3he, patthara para eka lAta mArI / patthara vahAM se khisaka T gyaa| patthara ke khisakane kI AvAja sunakara bhIla kA rakta cUsane meM tallIna bAgha bhAga gyaa| vikrama aura bhIlanI - donoM bAhara Ae / pazcima rAtri ke cAMda kI cAMdanI phaila cukI thii| vikrama ne dekhA ki svayaM ko bacAne vAlA bhIla mara cukA hai| bhIlanI apane pati kI yaha dazA dekhakara rakta se sane usake zarIra para gira par3I / vaha karuNa svara meM bolI- 'are mere svAmI ! yaha tumheM kyA ho gayA ? are re ! tumane merA vicAra bhI nahIM kiyA ?' itanA kahate hI bhIlanI ke prANapakherU bhI ur3a ge| rAjA vikrama avAk rahakara isa hRdayadrAvaka dRzya ko dekha rahe the / unhoMne nIce jhukakara dekhA ki bhIlanI kA zarIra bhI nirjIva ho gayA hai| aba kyA kareM ? 200 vIra vikramAditya

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kintu yaha dRzya dekhakara rAjA vikrama ke mana meM eka vicAra ubhraa| unhoMne socA, ina donoM ne mere para mahAn upakAra kiyA hai aura annadAna dekara mujhe jIvita rakhA hai| isakA yaha pariNAma AyA? dAna aura upakAra karane vAloM ko yadi aisA hI phala milatA hai to dAna aura upakAra kalpanA mAtra raha jaayeNge| isa prazna para vicAra karane kA samaya nahIM thaa| vIra vikrama ne donoM zavoM ko guphA ke bhItara sAvadhAnIpUrvaka eka ora rakha diyaa| phira vicAramagna hokara usa khATa para baiTha ge| prAta:kAla huaa| vana meM pakSiyoM ne prAta:gAna prArambha kiyaa| vikrama guphA se bAhara nikle| unake mana meM isa dampati ke agni-saMskAra kI bhAvanA jaagii| kintu vahAM koI dUsarA manuSya nahIM thaa| cAroM ora harItimA aura pakSiyoM kA kalarava thaa| ve svayaM usa pradeza se bilkula anajAna the| kisa ora jAnA hai, isakA nirNaya na kara sakane ke kAraNa ve eka caTTAna para baiTha ge| unake mana meM vividha saMkalpavikalpa uTha rahe the| una saMkalpoM meM ve unmajjana-nimajjana kara rahe the| usI samaya unake kAnoM se azvoM ke padacApa kI dhvani ttkraaii| vikrama tatkAla khar3e hue aura cAroM ora dekhane lge| kucha hI samaya ke pazcAt mahApratihAra aura rakSaka, cAroM ora dekhate-dekhate, Ate hue dikhAI die| vikrama ne jora se cillAkara kahA'ajaya! ajaya! isa ora.....!' ajaya ne usa choTI Tekar3I kI ora dekhaa| vahAM mahArAja vikrama ko khar3e dekhakara vaha atyanta prasanna huA aura taba sabhI ne 'mahArAja kI jaya ho' ke ghoSa se sAre AkAza ko guMjA diyaa| kucha hI kSaNoM meM sabhI Tekar3I para A ge| mahArAjA ne Ate hI pUchA-'ajaya! yahAM kaise A gae?' ajaya bolA-'mahArAja! hama kala madhyAhna se hI Apake pIche-pIche cala rahe the| kintu ApakA azva vAyuvega se daur3a rahA thaa| hama usake sAtha cala nahIM ske| sArI rAta Apako DhUMDhate-DhUMDhate idhara A ge|' vIra vikrama ne saMkSepa meM sArI ghaTanA batAI aura phira bhIla dampati kA aMtima dAha-saMskAra kiyaa| lagabhaga madhyAhna ke pazcAt sabhI avaMtI kI ora prasthita hue aura jaba ve saba avaMtI pahuMce taba dUsare dina kA prathama prahara bIta cukA thaa| apane mahArAjA ko surakSita Ae hue jAnakara avaMtI ke paurajana atyanta Anandita ho utthe| sArA deza prasannatA se jhUma utthaa| tIna mahIne bIta ge| inhIM dinoM eka parvatIya pradeza ke rAjA ke julmoM ke sAmane yuddha karane ke lie vikrama ko jAnA pdd'aa| vIra vikramAditya 201

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jo yuddha mAtra do mahIne meM samApta hone vAlA thA, usa yuddha meM sAr3he cAra mahIne laga ge| vIra vikrama apane parAkrama se parvatarAja ko naSTa kara usakI apAra sampatti aura tIna kanyAoM se pANigrahaNa kara pAMca mahInoM ke bAda avaMtI meM aae| avaMtI ke anta:pura meM aba unatIsa rAniyAM ho gaI thiiN| samRddhi AkAza ko chU rahI thii| vikrama kI vIratA kI carcA cAroM ora phaila gii| rAjasabhA meM aneka kavi, bhATa, cAraNa aura paMDita Ate, mahArAjA vIra vikrama kI guNa-gAthA gAte aura unakI tulanA indra se krte| manuSya ke Asa-pAsa jaba prazaMsA ke phUla bikharate haiM, taba vaha apane parAkrama ke naze meM masta bana jAtA hai| eka bAra vIra vikrama mahAdevI kamalA rAnI ke zayanAgAra meM vizrAma kara rahe the| donoM carcA meM tnmythe| bAta-hI-bAta meM vikrama ne kamalAdevI se kahA-'priye! jaba tuma yahAM AyI thI, taba mere pAsa kyA thA? Aja maiMne apane bhuja-parAkrama se itanA vaibhava ekatrita kara liyA hai ki isake samakSa indra kA vaibhava bhI phIkA-phIkA lagatA hai| dekho, maiMne svarNapuruSa prApta kiyA hai| mere pAsa aisA siMhAsana hai, jo indra ke pAsa bhI nahIM hai| maiMne aneka rAjAoM kA garva-bhaMga kiyA hai| merI kIrti Aja deza kI zobhA banI huI hai|' kamalAvatI AzcaryabharI dRSTi se vikrama kI ora dekhatI rhii| vaha mRdu svara meM bolI-'prANanAtha! Apa jisase sadA dUra rahate the, usa garva ko Apane sira para kyoM biThA rakhA hai ? svAmin ! puruSa balavAna nahIM hotA, puNya balavAna hotA hai| isa vizAla vizva meM Apase bhI adhika balazAlI puruSa vidyamAna haiN| kintu unakI puNya-prakRti durbala hone ke kAraNa ve Age nahIM A skte|' rAjA khilakhilAkara haMsa par3A- 'mere se balavAn....?' 41. Azcarya kI paramparA dUsare dina prAta:kAla rAnI kamalAvatI ne apane svAmI ke mana meM ubhare hue ahaMkAra kA nivAraNa karane ke lie kuladeva kI ArAdhanA karane kA nizcaya kiyA tathA ahaMkAra ke prAyazcitasvarUpa eka telA (tIna dina kI tapasyA) karane kA nirNaya kiyaa| dUsare dina hI vaha ArAdhanA karane baiTha gii| usane svAmI ke ahaM kI bAta kisI ko nahIM khii| rAnI kalAvatI bhI isase anajAna thii| vaha tele kI tapasyA kA praNa lekara kuladeva ke maMdira meM mauna baiTha gyii| strI pati ke kevala sukha meM hI hissA nahIM baMTAtI, vaha usake du:kha meM bhI sahabhAgI banatI hai| svAmI ke kalyANa ke lie vaha apane prANoM kI Ahuti dene ke lie bhI sadA tatpara rahatI hai| kamalA rAnI svAmI ke ahaMkArapUrNa vacana sunakara 202 vIra vikramAditya

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mana-hI-mana kalpanA kara rahI thI ki garva ke zikhara para car3hA huA manuSya avazya nIce A giratA hai / rAjA rAvaNa ko apane vijJAna, mahAn senA aura pracaNDa bhujabala kA garva huA thA aura usake pariNAmasvarUpa use apane prANa gaMvAne par3e / isa duSpariNAma se bacAne ke lie kamalA devI ne ArAdhanA prAraMbha kii| aura vigata nau-nau mahInoM se rAjA ke hRdaya meM dAna aura upakAra kI niSphalatA kA prazna zalya kI bhAMti cubha rahA thaa| rAjasabhA samApta hone para vikrama ne mahAmaMtrI se kahA- 'bhaTTamAtra ! kala se dAna dene kA yaha nATaka banda kara do / ' bhaTTamAtra avAk bana gyaa| usane Azcarya ke sAtha kahA - 'mahArAja ! Apa yaha kyA kara rahe haiM ? hajAroM-hajAroM loga Apake dAna kI mukta kaNTha se prazaMsA karate haiN| hajAroM vyaktiyoM kA dAridrya dUra hotA hai| hajAroM vyaktiyoM ke hRdaya ThaNDe hote haiN| yadi Apa dAna banda kareMge, to janatA meM aneka prakAra kI zaMkAeMkuzaMkAeM ubhareMgI / ' - vikrama ne kahA - 'mahAmaMtrI ! dAna milane para loga vAha-vAha karate haiM aura na milane para nindA karate haiM, yaha bAta sahI hai| kintu jisa dAna aura upakAra kA phala kevala zUnya hotA hai, usako banAe rakhanA buddhimattA nahIM hai| mujhe dAna aura upakAra kI niSphalatA kA sAkSAt pramANa mila cukA hai| aba maiMne yaha nizcaya kara liyA hai ki isa pravRtti ko baMda kara denA caahie| dAna aura upakAra, yaha manuSya kI kalpanA kI upaja hai / inake phala kI alaukika bAteM bhI kAlpanika haiN| aba Apako merI AjJA ke anusAra dAna baMda kara denA hai|' mahAmaMtrI avAk banakara saba kucha sunatA rhaa| Aja mahArAjA vikrama sabhI patniyoM ko sAtha lekara jala-vihAra ke lie rAjabhavana ke sarovara para jAne vAle the| parantu jaba unhoMne sunA ki kamalAdevI tele kI tapasyA kara ArAdhanA meM baiThI hai, taba unhoMne jala-vihAra ke kAryakrama ko sthagita kara diyA; kyoMki kamalAdevI ke binA ve Amoda-pramoda meM jAnA nahIM cAhate the| unhoMne ArAdhanA ke kAraNoM kI pUchatAcha kI, para kisI se kucha jJAta nahIM huaa| isalie nirAza hokara vikrama apane azva para ArUr3ha hokara nagara ke bAhara paribhramaNa ke lie nikala pdd'e| kisI ko unhoMne apane sAtha nahIM liyA / unake mana meM yaha garva thA ki merI zakti ko dUsare ke saMrakSaNa kI kyA jarUrata hai ? isa prakAra apane bhujabala aura puruSArtha para ahaM karate hue vikrama azva ko sarapaTa daur3Ate hue cale jA rahe the / madhyAhna bItane vAlA thaa| vikrama kI dRSTi eka kheta kI ora gaI aura ve Azcaryacakita raha gae- are, yaha kyA ? ve tatkAla azva ko rokakara nIce utare aura eka vRkSa kI oTa meM khar3e ho ge| vIra vikramAditya 203

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kheta meM eka hRSTa-puSTa kisAna hala jota rahA thaa| hala jotanA koI AzcaryakAraka nahIM hai, kintu vikrama ne vahAM akalpita Azcarya dekhaa| hala meM do baila jute hue nahIM the, kintu eka ora kesarI siMha aura dUsarI ora bhayaMkara bAgha jutA huA thaa| isase bhI AzcaryakArI bAta yaha thI ki donoM hiMsaka prANiyoM ke baMdhI huI rassI, sUta yA rezama kI nahIM thI, kintu bhayaMkara viSadharoM se banI huI thii| aisA dRzya vikrama ne kabhI nahIM dekhA thaa| eka-eka grAmINa itanA parAkramI hai ki vaha siMha aura bAgha jaise prANiyoM para niyaMtraNa rakha sake? are, isa kisAna kA bhujabala kitanA pracaNDa hai ? kyA mere rAjya meM aise zaktizAlI vyakti chipe par3e haiM? - kisAna apane kArya meM tallIna thA aura vikrama apalaka isa dRzya ko dekha rahA thaa| saMdhyA kA samaya hone vAlA thaa| kisAna ne apane hala ko rokakara astAcala kI ora dekhaa| phira usane rassI ke rUpa meM bAMdhe hue viSadharoM ko mukta kiyA tathA siMha aura bAgha ko bhI chor3a diyaa| vahAM se baMdhana-mukta hote hI siMha aura bAgha apanI pUMcha dabAkara vana kI ora bhAga gae aura sarpa sar-sar kara cale ge| phira kisAna apane hala ko kaMdhe para rakha calane lgaa| itane meM hI vikrama ne vRkSa kI oTa se bAhara Akara kisAna se pUchA-'are bhAI! thor3A tthhro| merI zaMkA kA samAdhAna to karate jaao|' kisAna ruka gyaa| vikrama ne pUchA- 'kyA siMha aura bAgha tumhAre pAlatU pazu haiM ?' 'nahIM re bhAI! maiM to roja jaMgala meM jAtA hUM aura inheM uThAkara le AtA hUM aura sAMjha ko chor3a detA huuN| inako pAlatU banAkara rakhU kahAM?' vikrama ne usake kaMdhe para hAtha rakhakara kahA- 'zAbAza! terI zakti ko dekhakara maiM avAk raha gyaa| nizcita hI terA bhujabala apAra hai|' kisAna ne haMsakara kahA- 'bhAI! tuma apanA paricaya to do|' vikrama bole-'bhAI! maiM isa deza kA rAjA vikrama huuN| kintu Aja tumhArA parAkrama dekhakara mujhe yaha nizcaya ho gayA hai ki saMsAra meM sera ko savA sera mila jAtA hai|' vikrama kI bAta sunakara kisAna khilakhilAkara haMsa pdd'aa| vaha bolA'aho! tuma hI hamAre rAjA ho| Aja to mere sone kA sUraja ugA hai| kintu rAjan! merI dazA dUsarI hI hai|' 'kyoM?' 204 vIra vikramAditya

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'tuma mujhe balazAlI mAnate ho, kintu mujhe apanI hathelI se pIsa dene vAlA merA eka zatru hai| vaha merI AMkhoM ke sAmane merI patnI ke sAtha bhoga bhogatA hai, para maiM kucha bhI nahIM kara sakatA / merI zakti vahAM paMgu bana jAtI hai|' 'yaha tuma kyA kaha rahe ho ?' 'bhAI vikrama ! maiM saca batA rahA hUM / yadi tumheM isa bAta kI parIkSA karanI ho to tuma mere sAtha mere ghara clo| merA gAMva isI DhalAna meM hai|' kahakara kisAna ne usa DhalAna kI ora apanA hAtha laMbA kiyaa| vikrama ko isa Azcarya ne jakar3a liyA thA / ve kisAna ke pIche-pIche azva ko lekara cala par3e / jaba ve DhalAna ko pAra kara gAMva meM pahuMce, taba aMdhakAra ho cukA thA / kisAna ne vikrama ko apane ghara kI choTI koTharI meM biThAyA aura svayaM apanI patnI ke pAsa gayA / kucha samaya pazcAt vaha kisAna roTI aura dUdha lekara vikrama ke pAsa AyA / donoM ne sAtha baiThakara byAlU kiyaa| phira vikrama ne pUchA- 'vaha vyakti kaba AtA hai ?' 'basa aba Ane hI vAlA hai| usake Ane se pahale hI hameM merI patnI ke kamare meM chipa jAnA cAhie / ' kisAna bolA / vikrama taiyAra ho ge| kisAna kI patnI abhI rasoIghara meM hI baiThI thI aura apane 'yAra' ke lie tilapapar3I banA rahI thI / vikrama aura kisAna - donoM usa kamare ke aMdhere kone meM chipakara baiTha ge| vikrama ne dhIre se pUchA - 'tumhArI patnI kyA kara rahI hai ?' 'vaha miThAI banA rahI hai apane yAra ke lie|' 'to tuma apanI gharavAlI ko bhI kucha nahIM kaha sakate ?' 'yahI to kaThinAI hai / yadi maiM kucha bhI bolUM, to vaha rAMDa usase bAta kaha de aura phira vaha merI haDDI-pasalI DhIlI kara de| isalie saba kucha sahana kara cupacApa baiThA rahatA huuN| jisa ghara kA sadasya asamajha ho, usakA kyA kiyA jAe ?' lagabhaga eka ghaTikA ke bAda kisI ke padacApoM kI tIvra AvAja kAnoM meM pdd'ii| kisAna ne dhIre se kahA- 'vaha A gayA.... / ' itane meM hI eka laMbe-caur3e aura zaktizAlI puruSa ne kamare meM paira rakhe aura kahA- 'are! abhI taka dIyA nahIM jalAyA ?' komala-madhura AvAja AyI - 'tuma palaMga para baittho| maiM abhI A rahI huuN|' vaha vyakti palaMga para baiTha gyaa| kucha hI kSaNoM ke pazcAt kisAna kI patnI eka hAtha meM dIpaka aura dUsare hAtha meM miThAI kA thAla lekara aayii| usane dIpaka vIra vikramAditya 205

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ko eka ora rakhA aura usa vyakti se saTakara palaMga para baiTha gii| usane miThAI kA thAla bIca meM rakha diyaa| vikrama aura kisAna-donoM roSa se sulagatI AMkhoM se yaha dRzya dekha rahe the| kisAna kI patnI miThAI ke grAsa usa vyakti ke muMha meM dene lagI aura vaha premI apanI premikA ke muMha meM miThAI ke grAsa dene lgaa| phira donoM paraspara hAsya-vinoda karane lge| yaha dRzya vikrama ke lie asahya ho gyaa| ve donoM usa kone se bAhara Ae aura vikrama pracaNDa svara meM bole- 'duSTa ! para-strI ke sAtha krIr3A karate hue tujhe zarma nahIM AtI?' vaha hRSTa-puSTa vyakti khar3A ho gayA aura bolA-'are! mujhe zikSA dene vAlA tU kauna hai ? hamAre donoM kA saMbaMdha to kuMArepana se calA A rahA hai| tuma donoM bAhara cale jaao| hamAre raMga meM bhaMga mata kro|' kisAna bolA- 'Aja to terA anta karane para hI merA chuTakArA ho sakatA hai|' vaha vyakti khilakhilAkara haMsA aura cIte kI taraha sphUrti se kUdakara donoM ke pAsa A phuNcaa| donoM ko hAthoM meM uThAkara bolA-'Aja to donoM ko kSamA karatA hUM, phira kabhI aisI mUrkhatA kI to donoM kA sira phor3a duuNgaa|' yaha kahakara vaha donoM ko phUla kI geMda kI taraha uThAkara kamare se bAhara AyA aura donoM ko ghumAkara pheMka diyaa| bhAgyavaza donoM cAre ke eka vizAla Dhera para jA gire aura marane se baca ge| kisAna bolA-'vikrama! dekha liyA na? jaise ghAsa kA pUlA pheMkA jAtA hai, vaise hI hama pheMke ge| kintu merA eka bandhu hai, jo isase bhI adhika zaktizAlI hai| jo vaha Ae to isa duSTa ko majA ckhaae|' vikrama apanI gardana ko khujalA rahe the| ve bole-'terA baMdhu kahAM rahatA hai?' __ 'yahIM pAsa meM rahatA hai| eka varSa se vaha paradeza gayA thA, Aja hI vaha lauTA hai| tuma yahIM khar3e raho, maiM abhI use bulAkara lAtA huuN|' kisAna ne khaa| vikrama ne svIkRti dii| kisAna bAhara niklaa| vikrama ne mana-hI-mana socA-are! maiM apane bhujabala kA ahaMkAra karatA thA, kintu yahAM ke dRzyoM ko dekhakara merA garva cUra-cUra ho gyaa| bhujabalI aura parAkramI koI eka nahIM hotaa| kamalArAnI ne mujhe saca kahA thA ki bala aura parAkrama kA ahaM karanA manuSya kI sabase bar3I kamajorI hai| vikrama aisA hI soca rahe the ki vaha kisAna apane bandhu ko lekara vahAM A phuNcaa| vikrama ne dekhA, vaha atyanta hRSTa-puSTa aura zaktizAlI pratIta ho rahA thaa| 206 vIra vikramAditya

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phira tInoM usa kamare kI ora ge| kamarA khulA thaa| ve donoM kallola kara rahe the| tInoM kamare meM ghuse aura usa kisAna ne lalakArA / vaha duSTa apane palaMga se uThA aura jora-jora se bolA- 'mujhe lagatA hai ki Aja mauta tuma donoM ko yahAM ghasITa lAyI hai|' yaha kahakara vaha duSTa vikrama aura kisAna kI ora bddh'aa| itana meM hI vaha kisAna-bandhu bIca meM kUda par3A aura usa duSTa yAra ko pakar3a liyaa| donoM ke bIca malla-yuddha hone lagA aura vaha yuddha kucha hI kSaNoM taka Tika paayaa| usa kisAna-bandhu ne duSTa ko mAra ddaalaa| vikrama Azcarya meM DUba gyaa| kisAna jIvita siMha-bAgha ko pakar3e, usase bhI adhika zaktizAlI eka vyakti kisAna ke sAmane hI usakI patnI kA upabhoga kare aura usase bhI baliSTha vyakti usa yAra ko mAra ddaale| inameM maiM kisake parAkrama kI prazaMsA karUM? inake samakSa mere bhujabala kI ginatI hI kyA hai? vikrama isa prakAra vicAra kara rahA thA aura vicAra-hI-vicAra meM usake netra banda ho ge| jaba usane netra ughAr3e, taba usake Azcarya kA pAra nahIM rahA-na ghara thA, na gAMva thA, na kisAna thA, na usakI patnI thI, kucha bhI nahIM thaa| ve mAtra apane ghor3e kI lagAma thAme eka vRkSa kI oTa meM khar3e the| vikrama ne AMkheM malIM, apane aMgoM ko mrodd'aa| unheM vizvAsa ho gayA ki ve jAgRta haiN| to yaha saba kahAM gayA? isa prakAra vaha vicAroM meM ulajha rahA thA ki vahAM acAnaka eka divya puruSa prakaTa hokara bolA- 'he rAjan! maiM tumhArA kuldevtaahuuN| tumhArI priya rAnI tumhAre garva ke nivAraNa ke lie tele kI tapasyA kara ArAdhanA kara rahI hai| rAjan! tumane jo kucha dekhA, vaha sArI mere dvArA racita mAyA thI, jo garva ke zikhara para se girate hue tumako bacAne ke lie racI thii| rAjan ! Aja taka jina-jina logoM ne zakti aura parAkrama kA ahaM kiyA hai, ve saba naSTa ho gae haiN| mahArAjA balI kA garva kevala sAr3he tIna pagoM meM pAtAla meM jA dbaa| hiraNyakazyapa kA garva use mauta ke muMha meM le gyaa| jarAsaMdha ke garva ne usakA nAmonizAna miTA ddaalaa| bhujabala ke parAkrama se apane-Apako ajeya mAnane vAlA duryodhana burI mauta mraa| he rAjan! isa pRthvI para jo bhI garva karatA hai, usakA burA hAla hotA hai| jo manuSya vidvattA kA garva karatA hai, to usakA jJAna vahIM aTaka jAtA hai| jo manuSya sampatti, vaibhava aura lakSmI kA garva karatA hai, usakA aizvarya kapUra kI taraha vilIna ho jAtA hai| he rAjana! tumhAre ahaM kA koI burA pariNAma Ae, usase pahale hI tumhArI rAnI kamalAvatI ne tumheM bacA liyA hai| eka bAta yAda rakhanA, kisI bhI bAta kA ahaM jIvana kI sabase bar3I hAra hai|' vikrama kuladevatA ke caraNoM meM nata ho ge| kuladevatA adRzya ho ge| vikrama ne AkAza kI ora dekhA / sUryAsta hone meM abhI bahuta samaya zeSa thaa| vIra vikramAditya 207

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garva ke bhAra se halke hue vikrama azva para ArUr3ha hokara avaMtI kI ora ge| jaise hI ve rAjabhavana pahuMce aura sopAna zreNI se car3hane lage, vahIM nagara ke suprasiddha seTha Arya dhanadatta A phuNce| vikrama khar3e raha ge| dhanadatta ne hAtha jor3akara kahA-'kRpAnAtha! abhI Apako mere sAtha calanA hogaa|' vikrama ne prasanna svaroM meM pUchA-'abhI?' dhanadatta bolA- 'mere yahAM Aja eka sundara putra kA janma huA hai| jaise hI rAta AyI, vaha navajAta zizu bolane lagA ki mahArAja vikrama ko mere pAsa bulaao| merA unase kAma hai| isalie maiM Apake pAsa AyA huuN| vikrama bole- 'seThajI! yaha to mAnane jaisI bAta nahIM hai| abhI to janmA hai, eka rAta bhI nahIM bItI hai, vaha kaise bola sakatA hai?' dhanadatta ne kahA-'kRpAnAtha! asatya bolane kA koI kAraNa nahIM hai| maiM kyoM asatya bolUM ? hama saba Azcaryamagna haiN|' vikrama tatkAla ratha meM baiThakara dhanadatta ke bhavana kI ora cala pdd'e| unake pIche mahApratihAra aura sevaka bhI ge| vikrama ne socA-Aja kA dina vicitra dina hai| eka ke bAda dUsarA Azcarya cala rahA hai| bahuta vicitratA hai| maiMne Aja mahAmaMtrI ko dAna banda karane ko kahA, use Azcarya huaa| phira to eka ke bAda dUsarA Azcarya ghaTita hotA hI gyaa| __ thor3e samaya meM hI ratha dhanadatta ke bhavana meM phuNcaa| dhanadatta kI patnI ne pUre bAraha varSa pazcAt putra-ratna kA prasava kiyA thA aura yahI putra janmate hI bolane laga gyaa| dhanadatta mahArAjA vikrama ko lekara bAlaka ke pAsa gyaa| pAlane meM bAlaka so rahA thaa| usane vikrama ko dekhate hI kahA-'Ao, vikrama ! mujhe pahacAnA yA nahIM? rAjA vikrama avAk banakara bAlaka kI ora dekhane lge| bAlaka bolA'vikrama ! nau mahIne dasa dina pahale kI bAta yAda kro| tuma vana meM bhaTaka gae the| maiMne tumako apanI guphA meM Azraya diyA aura tumhArA Atithya karate hue hama donoMmaiM aura merI patnI mAre ge| kucha yAda kro|' 'hAM, are bhIla dampati! maiM to tuma donoM ko kabhI kA bhUla gayA thaa|' bAlaka bolA- 'rAjan ! dAna aura upakAra kI niSphalatA ko dekhakara tumhAre mana meM ghora ajJAna chA gayA thaa| kintu Aja tuma dekha rahe ho ki mere dvArA kiye gae sAmAnya dAna ke pariNAmasvarUpa maiM eka dhanakubera ke ghara ekAkI putra ke rUpa meM utpanna huA huuN|' 208 vIra vikramAditya

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vikrama ne kahA-'tumhArI patnI ?' bAlaka ne kahA- 'rAjan! pAMca dina bAda vaha seTha zrIkAnta ke yahAM putrI ke rUpa meM janma legI aura bhaviSya meM vahI merI patnI hogii| rAjan ! tuma apane ajJAna ko tatkAla dUra kara lo|' yaha kahakara bAlaka mauna ho gyaa| vikrama ko apanI bhUla jJAta huii| unhoMne socA, abhI mere puNya prabala haiN| ve rAjabhavana gae aura mahAmaMtrI ko tatkAla AjJA dI ki dAna aura upakAra ke kAryoM meM rukAvaTa na aae| ve pUrvavat cAlU kara die jaaeN| 42. zataraMja kA khela kamalArAnI jaba apanA vrata sampanna kara rAjabhavana meM AyI taba vikrama ne usako apane hAthoM se 'pAraNA' karAte hue kahA-'priye! tumhArI ArAdhanA kA zubha pariNAma tumheM upalabdha ho gayA hai| maiM samajhatA hU~ ki mere puNya ko tumhAre jaisI ardhAginI hI bacA sakatI hai aura nIce girate hue ko thAma sakatI hai| yadi mujhe yaha viveka nahIM milatA to dAna aura upakAra kI pravRtti banda ho jaatii|' yaha kahakara vikrama ne bhIla aura bhIlanI ke upakAra aura usake pariNAma kI pUrI jAnakArI kamalArAnI ko dii| kamalArAnI ne prema-bharI dRSTi se svAmI ko dekhate hue kahA-'prANanAtha! ApakA puNya-bala prabala hai / Apa-jaise pratApI pati mujhe prApta hue, yaha kama gaurava kI bAta nahIM hai| bahuta bAra manuSya vividha prakAra ke nazoM meM bhAna bhUla jAtA hai| kintu Apa sarala hRdaya haiN| bhUla ko bhUla rUpa meM svIkAra kara lete haiN|' cAra dina bAda rAjA vIra vikrama sabhI rAniyoM ko sAtha lekara jala-vihAra ke lie ge| vikrama kA jIvana sabhI taraha se Anandita thaa| unatIsa-unatIsa rAniyoM ke hote hue bhI kisI rAnI ko asaMtoSa nahIM thaa| sabake lie alagaalaga nivAsa-sthala the| sabake pRthak dhana-bhaNDAra aura alaMkAra the| ve sabhI prakAra se sukhI the| para eka bAta kA du:kha thA ki itanI rAniyAM hone para bhI unake koI putra nahIM thA, sAta putriyAM thiiN| ve yaha bhUla gae the ki sukumArI unakI patnI hai aura ve eka sundara putra ke pitA bana cuke haiN| vikrama apane rAjyakArya meM bhI saceta rahate the| ve yadA-kadA nagaracarcA jAnane ke lie guptaveza meM nikala par3ate aura janatA kI carcA ko dhyAna se sunte| ve mAnate the ki loga muMha para prazaMsA karate haiM, para rAjya-saMcAlana me kahAM kyA truTi rahatI hai, isako jAnanA ho to nagaracarcA se adhika sundara koI upAya nahIM hai| vIra vikramAditya 206

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avaMtI nagarI bahuta samRddha aura vizAla thii| vahAM saikar3oM koTyAdhIza rahate the| vastra-vyApArI bhI pracura the| avaMtI kI nartakiyAM, vezyAeM, gaNikAeM bhI prasiddha thiiN| unake nivAsa sthAna alaga the| vizeSa bAta yaha thI ki avaMtI kA telIvAr3A samagra mAlava pradeza meM prasiddha thaa| vahAM bAraha sau kolhU cltethe| vahAM 'gaMguDosI' nAma kI telina rahatI thI, jo bAnave varSa kI thii| usI ke kAraNa vaha telIvAr3A samUce deza meM vikhyAta ho gayA thaa| usa DosI kA eka nAma 'gAMgaNI' telina bhI thaa| vaha maMtra-vizArada thii| vaha AkAza meM ur3ate hue pakSiyoM ko nIce girAne, uccATaNa, mAraNa, vazIkaraNa, staMbhana, AkAza-gamana, rUpa-parivartana Adi kriyAoM meM nipuNa thii| usane ina sArI vidyAoM ko siddha kara liyA thaa| inhIM vidyAoM ke kAraNa vaha telIvAr3A jagat-vikhyAt ho gayA thaa| 'gaMguDosI' atyanta vRddha hone ke kAraNa ghara meM hI rahatI, bAhara nahIM nikalatI thii| vahIM 'nAgadamanI' nAmaka kI saiMtIsa varSa kI eka telina bahuta prabhAvazAlI thI aura usakI sataraha varSa kI kanyA devadamanI zApabhraSTa devakanyA jaisI lagatI thii| eka dina mahArAjA vikrama apane rakSakoM, mahAmaMtrI tathA mahApratihAra ke sAtha prAta:bhramaNa ke lie gAMva ke bAhara nikle| lauTate samaya ve telIvAr3A ke madhya se gujre| usa samaya devadamanI apane makAna ke sAmane galI vAle rAste ko buhAra rahI thii| dhUla ur3a rahI thii| vikrama ke sAtha vAle do sevaka usake pAsa Akara bole'ai chokarI! dekhatI nahIM, mahArAjA vikrama isa ora A rahe haiM ? itanI dhUla kyoM ur3A rahI hai? eka ora ho jaa|' devadamanI ne donoM sevakoM kI ora dekhakara kahA- 'rAjA hai to vaha apane ghara kA hai, mujhe kyA? maiM to apanA AMgana buhAra rahI huuN| tere rAjA ne koI paMcadaMDa vAlA chatra dhAraNa nahIM kara rakhA hai ki jo dhUla se kharAba ho jaae|' yaha kahakara devadamanI buhArane ke kAma meM laga gii| usI samaya mahArAjA vikrama aura mahAmaMtrI ke azva vahAM khar3e raha gae aura unhoMne devadamanI ke zabda suna liye the| vIra vikrama ne devadamanI kI ora dekhaa| usako dekhate hI rAjA staMbhita ho ge| aisA rUpa! aisA teja! aisA mohaka yauvana! kyA yaha telina hai yA devakanyA? vikrama ne mahAmaMtrI ke sAmane dekhakara isa kanyA ke viSaya meM pUrI jAnakArI karane ke lie saMketa kiyA aura svayaM mahApratihAra ko sAtha le Age bar3ha ge| rAjabhavana jAne ke pazcAt snAna Adi se nivRtta hokara vikrama baiThaka-kakSa meM aae| usI samaya mahAmaMtrI bhaTTamAtra A phuNce| vikrama ne pUchA- 'vaha lar3akI kauna thI?' 210 vIra vikramAditya

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mahAmaMtrI ne kahA- 'kRpAnAtha ! telIvAr3A meM jaise 'gaMgu DosI' prakhyAta hai, vaise hI nAgadamanI nAma vAlI eka telina bhI prakhyAta hai / vaha lar3akI isI nAgadamanI kI beTI hai| isakA nAma devadamanI hai aura yaha bhI eka vidyAdharI hai / ' vikrama bole- 'bhaTTamAtra ! vaha kaisI bhI kyoM na ho, usane jo paMcadaMDa vAle chatra kI bAta kahI, vaha kyA hai ?' bhaTTamAtra haMsakara bolA- 'mahArAja ! yaha lar3akI bahuta vicitra hai| isake kathana ko samajhanA bahuta muzkila hai|' 'abhI devadamanI ko yahAM bulA bhejo| paMcadaMDa vAle chatra kI bAta ko jAne binA mujhe caina nahIM par3egA / ' vikrama ne kahA / bhaTTamAtra ne mana-hI-mana socA - strI, bAlaka, guru aura rAjA - ye cAroM haThIle hote haiN| usane rAjAjJA ke anusAra bAhara Akara cAra sainikoM ko eka nAyaka ke sAtha devadamanI ko bulAne bhejA / vaha nAyaka cAra sainikoM ko sAtha lekara telIvAr3A meM nAgadamanI telina ke ghara pahuMca gyaa| nAyaka kI AvAja sunakara nAgadamanI ghara se bAhara nikalI aura cAra sainikoM ke sAtha nAyaka ko dekhakara avAk raha gaI / nAyaka ne kahA- 'tumhArI beTI devadamanI kahAM hai ? ' 'kyoM bhAI, usase kyA kAma hai ?' 'mAlavapati tumhArI beTI ko bulA rahe haiN|' nAyaka ne kahA / 'are, kyoM ? binA aparAdha kie hI / yadi rAjA isa prakAra lar3akiyoM ko bulAtA rahegA to rAjya meM rahegA kauna ? hamArA koI doSa nahIM hai, aparAdha nahIM hai| hamane rAjA ke kArya meM vyavadhAna nahIM DAlA hai, phira merI beTI ko bulavAyA kisalie ?' nAyaka bolA-'are, nAgadamanI bahana ! kyA tuma rAjA vIra vikrama ko nahIM pahacAnatI ? ve kisI nArI para burI najara nahIM krte| unakA yaza devaloka taka vyApta hai / bahana ! koI mahattvapUrNa kArya ke lie hI tumhArI beTI ko mahArAjA ne yAda kiyA hai| tuma saMzaya mata kro| apanI beTI ko mere sAtha bhejo| maiM use sakuzala yahAM pahuMcA duuNgaa|' nAgadamanI ne kahA- 'bhAI nAyaka ! rAjAjJA kA pAlana to prajA ko karanA hI caahie| kintu merI beTI abhI nAdAna hai, isalie vaha bolane meM lAparavAha bhI ho sakatI hai| yadi maiM calUM to koI Apatti nahIM hai na ?' 'bahana ! tuma calo / ' nAyaka ne kahA / tatkAla nAgadamanI vastra badalane ghara meM gaI aura kucha hI kSaNoM meM veza badalakara A gii| vIra vikramAditya 211

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nAyaka nAgadamanI ko lekara rAjabhavana meM pahuMca gyaa| mahArAjA pratIkSA kara hI rahe the| mahApratihAra ajaya nAgadamanI ko lekara vikrama ke samakSa gayA aura bolA'kRpAnAtha! devadamanI ke badale usakI mAM nAgadamanI upasthita hai|' nAgadamanI ne mahArAjA vikrama ko namaskAra kiyaa| vikrama bole-'Ao bahana, aao| tuma apanI beTI ko sAtha nahIM lAyI?' mahApratihAra khaMDa ke bAhara calA gyaa| nAgadamanI ne kahA-'kRpAnAtha! merI beTI abhI baccI hai, isalie yahAM Ane meM use saMkoca hotA hai| ApakA jo kAma hai, vaha Apa mujhe kheN|' vikrama ne nAgadamanI kI ora dekhakara kahA-'Aja prAta: maiM tumhAre ghara ke pAsa se nikalA, usa samaya tumhArI beTI rAste ko buhAra rahI thii| usane paMcadaMDa vAle chatra kI bAta kahI thii| maiM yaha jAnanA cAhatA hUM ki vaha chatra kyA hai ? vaha kaisA hai?' nAgadamanI bolI-'kRpAnAtha! isa chatra kI jijJAsA na kareM, yahI ucita hai|' vikrama ne kahA-'nAgadamanI! maiM pariNAma kI cintA nahIM krtaa| bhAgya ko koI anyathA nahIM kara sktaa| mujhe usa chatra kI bAta avazya jAnanI hai|' nAgadamanI cintA meM par3a gii| kucha samaya mauna rahakara vaha bolI-'mahArAja! isa chatra kI pUrI jAnakArI merI beTI ko hai, kintu vaha batA nahIM sktii| yadi Apako yaha jAnakArI karanI hai to Apako eka juA khelanA pdd'egaa|' 'juA? maiM samajhA nhiiN|' ___ "maiM Apako samajhAtI huuN| Apako apane udyAna meM eka dyUtamaMDapa kI racanA karanI hogii| phira Apako merI kanyA devadamanI ke sAtha zataraMja khelanA hogaa| isa khela meM yadi merI kanyA lagAtAra tIna bAra parAjita ho jAegI to Apa vijayI hoMge aura taba Apako usake sAtha vivAha karanA hogaa| phira vaha Apako usa chatra kA pUrA vivaraNa btaaegii| usa zataraMja kI bAjI ke samaya nirIkSaka ke rUpa meM maiM rhuuNgii| hama tInoM ke atirikta vahAM koI nahIM rhegaa|' vikrama ne pUchA- 'zataraMja kI bAjI maiM hAra gayA to?' nAgadamanI ne haMsakara kahA- 'kRpAnAtha! ApakI hAra beTI ke lie gaurava bana jaaegii| Apa parAjita hokara kucha khoeMge nahIM, kevala chatra ke viSaya kA vivaraNa Apa nahIM jAna paaeNge|' vikrama vicAramagna ho ge| unhoMne socA, maiM zataraMja khelene meM nipuNa huuN| kamalA, kalAvatI aura lIlAvatI-tInoM rAniyAM zataraMja khelane meM ati catura 212 vIra vikramAditya

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hone para bhI mujhe kabhI nahIM harA skiiN| unake atirikta mahAmaMtrI bhaTTamAtra aura buddhisAgara bhI mujhe nahIM jIta sake / isalie isa khela meM devadamanI ko parAjita karanA kaThina nahIM hai| yadi maiM jIta jAUMgA to devadamanI kI prApti hogI aura hAra jAUMgA to kucha dinoM taka logoM meM carcA hogI, aura kucha nhiiN| yaha socakara vikrama ne devadamanI ke sAtha zataraMja khelanA svIkAra kara liyaa| nAgadamanI ne kahA-'kRpAnAtha! Apa eka bAra aura soca leN| merI beTI devadamanI zataraMja khelane meM atyanta nipuNa hai| Aja taka usako koI jIta nahIM sakA hai| yadi Apa usase hAra gae to logoM meM ApakI haMsI hogI, avajJA hogii|' vikrama bole- 'nAgadamanI! cintA mata kro| suyogya khilAr3I ke sAtha khelakara hAranA bhI jIvana kA eka Ananda hai| mujhe na hArane kA bhaya hai aura na jItane kA harSa / tIna dina pazcAt maiM tumheM kahalavA duuNgaa| taba taka dyUtamaMDapa taiyAra ho jaaegaa|' nAgadamanI uThI, rAjA vIra vikrama kA jayanAda kara praNata ho gii| vikrama ne tatkAla mahApratihAra ko bulAkara bheMTa dene ke lie taiyAra rakhA huA thAla mNgvaayaa| thAla Ane ke pazcAt vIra vikrama ne nAgadamanI kA satkAra kiyA aura nAgadamanI vahAM se ghara ke lie vidA ho gii| usI dina sAyaMkAla mahAmaMtrI milane Ae, taba vIra vikrama ne zataraMja vAlI bAta khii| bhaTTamAtra bole-'Apane utAvalepana meM nirNaya kiyA hai| ye donoM mAMbeTI-nAgadamanI aura devadamanI-khataranAka jAdUgaraniyAM haiN| ye donoM aneka prakAra ke kAmaNa-TUmaNa jAnatI haiN| loga yaha bhI kahate haiM ki eka bAra inake phaMde meM phaMsane para chuTakArA pAnA kaThina hotA hai|' vikrama ne haMsate hue kahA- 'bhaTTajI! jahAM vidyA hotI hai, vahAM aise lokavAkya prasRta ho jAte haiN| mujhe kisI bhI kImata para yaha kAma karanA hai| maiM jo bAta pakar3atA hUM, use pUrI kie binA sukha kI sAMsa nahIM sotA, yaha Apa jAnate haiN| aba do dina ke bhItara udyAna ke dakSiNa bhAga meM eka maMDapa taiyAra kraao| usameM uttama Asana rakhAe jAeM aura usako bhalI prakAra se zRMgArA jaae|' rAjAjJA ko svIkAra kara mahAmaMtrI vahAM se uTha ge| do dina meM maMDapa taiyAra ho gyaa| cauthe dina mahArAjA vikrama kA ratha nAgadamanI aura devadamanI ko lAne gyaa| donoM-mAM aura beTI dina ke prathama prahara ke bAda A giiN| maMDapa meM svarNa ke do Asana biche the| eka para vIra vikrama aura dUsare para devadamanI baiTha gii| nAgadamanI pAsa meM eka Asana para baiTha gii| vIra vikramAditya 213

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vIra vikrama ne devadamanI kI ora dekhakara kahA-'devI! tumhAre sAtha khelakara hArane meM bhI mujhe Ananda AegA, yahI mAnakara maiM khelane baiThA huuN| maiM hArUMgA to koI cintA kI bAta nahIM hai| tuma hArogI to mujhe tuma-jaisA nArIratna prApta hogaa| aba tuma pahalI cAla clo|' devadamanI bolI-'kRpAnAtha! merA prAraMbha ati khataranAka hotA hai, isalie maiM Apako pahalA avasara denA cAhatI haiN|' 'devadamanI! tumhAre khataranAka prArambha kI mujhe ciMtA nahIM hai| kucha bhI ho, tuma eka nArI ho aura merI atithi ho| mujhe atithi ke gaurava kA saMrakSaNa karanA hI hogaa|' devadamanI haMsa pdd'ii| vaha kucha nahIM bolii| khela prArambha huaa| usane pahale cAra cAleM cliiN| vikrama ne usakA sundara uttara diyaa| nAgadamanI ne dekhA ki vIra vikrama ne devadamanI ko Age bar3hane se rokane ke lie eka pAla bAMdhI hai| zataraMja kA khela jitanA zAMta hai, utanA hI AnandadAyI hai| zataraMja khelane vAle bhUkha-pyAsa ko bhUla jAte haiN| jaba saMdhyAkAlameMdoghaTikAeM zeSa rahIM taba devadamanI ne jAna liyA ki vikrama bhI koI nirbala khilAr3I nahIM haiN| khela adhUrA rhaa| mAM-beTI donoM apane ghara calI giiN| isI prakAra khelatekhelate cAra dina bIta ge| ina cAroM dinoM meM eka bAra bhI khela pUrA nahIM huaa| kintu logoM meM bahuta UhApoha hone lgaa| rAtri meM jaba vIra vikrama nagaracarcA sunane ke lie nikalate taba sthAna-sthAna para unheM svayaM ke viSaya kI hAsyAspada bAteM sunane ko miltii| ____ pAMcave dina khela ne raMga bdlaa| devadamanI cAra dinoM taka kevala vikrama kI cAloM ko jAnane mAtra ke lie khela rahI thii| Aja usane AkramaNAtmaka khela khelaa| vikrama AkramaNa ko dekhakara cauNke| phira bhI ve nipuNa khilAr3I the| dhairyapUrvaka unhoMne AkramaNa kA sAmanA kiyA, kintu yaha AkramaNa eka sAmAnya khilAr3I kA nahIM, eka jAdUgaranI kA AkramaNa thaa| saMdhyA se pUrva vikrama bAjI hAra ge| vikrama ne khedapUrvaka devadamanI kI ora dekhakara kahA- 'devI! maiM sabase pahale tumhArI vijaya kA abhinandana karatA huuN|' devadamanI bolI- 'kRpAnAtha ! maiM dhanya huii| mujhe pratIta hotA hai ki dotIna dinoM meM hI khela samApta ho jaaegaa|' vikrama ne haMsakara kahA-'aura vaha bhI tumhArI vijaya se!' 'Apa saca kahate haiN| nArI kabhI parAjita nahIM hotii|' vikrama ne devadamanI ke sundara vadana kI ora dekhaa| 214 vIra vikramAditya

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devadamanI nAgadamanI ke sAtha ghara calI gii| Aja kI parAjaya se vikrama ke hRdaya para bhArI AghAta lgaa| usane socAeka nArI yadi khela meM aise jIta jAe to bahuta apakIrti hogii| isalie kyA karanA cAhie? tatkAla usake mana meM eka vicAra ubharA-rAjA kA aura rAjya kA saMrakSaNa kSetradhAma karatA hai| Aja rAtri meM maiM kSetradhAma ke maMdira meM jAkara usakI ArAdhanA kruuNgaa| 43. khela adhUrA rahA kRSNapakSa kI dvaadshii| rAtri kA prathama prahara bIta cukA thaa| vIra vikrama veza badalakara kSetrapAla kI ArAdhanA karane ke lie rAjabhavana se paidala bAhara nikle| aMdherI raat| ghanaghora aNdhkaar| vikrama Ar3e mArga se nagara ke bAhara nikala gae / kSetrapAla kA mandira nagara se tIna kheta dUra thaa| prativarSa rAjA apane pUre parivAra ke sAtha kSetrapAla kI pUjA karane Ate the aura khAdya-sAmagrI se bhare aneka thAla unake samakSa rakhate the| vIra vikrama ke pUrvajoM ne isa maMdira kA nirmANa karavAyA thaa| rAjya hI isakI dekharekha rakhatA thaa| yaha mAnA jAtA thA ki rAjya ke rakSaNa kA bhAra kSetrapAla para hotA hai| vikrama ne yaha bhI sunA thA ki eka bAra unake pitAmaha ne vipatti ke nivAraNa ke lie kSetrapAla kI ArAdhanA kI thI aura vaha vipatti dUra ho gii| mana meM isa zraddhA ko saMjokara vIra vikrama kisI rakSaka ko sAtha na lekara akele hI nirjana mArga para bar3hate jA rahe the| vikrama ke mana meM devadamanI ke vicAra ghula rahe the| svayaM zataraMja ke khela meM nipuNa hone para bhI eka strI se pahalI bAra hAra gae the| hAra-jIta se bhI yaha bAta mahattva kI thI ki devadamanI atyanta rUpavatI, capala aura AkarSaka thii| aisA nArIratna eka telI ke yahAM janma le, yaha bhI vismayakArI bAta thii| yadi svayaM hAra jAtA hai to devadamanI prApta nahIM ho sakatI aura logoM meM bhI apakIrti hogii| ___isa prakAra aneka vicAroM meM ulajhe hue vikrama kSetrapAla ke maMdira ke nikaTa pahuMca ge| mana meM kSetrapAla kA smaraNa kara ve maMdira kI cAradIvArI meM ghuse| maMdira meM koI nahIM thaa| pujArI sAyaMdIpaka jalAkara calA jAtA thA aura dIpaka bhI kucha samaya taka jalakara bujha gayA thaa| jina dinoM kA yaha kathAnaka hai, una dinoM maMdiroM ke tAle nahIM lagAe jAte the| kevala kuttoM aura billiyoM ke nivAraNa ke lie maMdira ke garbhadvAra aura mukhyadvAra ke kapATa bAhara se sAMkala lagAkara banda kara die jAte the| maMdira meM kitanA bhI dhana vIra vikramAditya 215

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ho, alaMkAra ho, kintu maMdira se koI cora bhI corI nahIM karatA thaa| jahAM manuSya chor3anA sIkhatA hai, vahAM corI kaise kI jAe? vIra vikrama ne dvAra kholakara andara praveza kiyaa| aMdhakAra saghana thA, bhItara kA aMdhakAra aura adhika gaharA thaa| vIra vikrama ne garbhadvAra kholA-kSetrapAla kI mUrti aMdhakAra meM adRzya ho gaI thii| AMkheM banda kara vIra vikrama ne kSetrapAla kA smaraNa prArambha kiyaa| ardha ghaTikA ke bItate-bItate do dIpaka apane Apa jala utthe| unake prakAza meM vikrama ne dekhA ki kSetrapAla kI bhayAnaka mUrti sAkSAt rUpa dhAraNa kara bola rahI hai-'Ao rAjan ! mujhe kyoM yAda kiyA hai?' vikrama ne kSetrapAla ko dekhakara mastaka namAyA, phira kahA-'Apa rAjA aura rAjya ke rakSaka haiM, isalie Apake pAsa AyA huuN| maiM eka vipatti meM phaMsa gayA huuN|' kSetrapAla ne haMsate hue kahA-'rAjan, maiM tumhArI vipatti ko jAnatA huuN| tumane bahuta sAhasa kiyA hai| devadamanI eka sundarI hai aura vaha maMtrazakti se devatAoM ko bhI baMdhanagrasta karane meM samartha hai| rAjan ! tumane usake sAtha zarta karane meM utAvala kii| devadamanI ko devatA bhI nahIM pahuMca skte|' 'mahArAja! kucha bhI kaheM, maiMne eka AzA ke taMtu ke sahAre usase zarta kI hai| maiM hAra jAUM, isakA mujhe kheda nahIM hai| kintu maiM jo pAnA aura jAnanA cAhatA hUM, vaha mujhe prApta nahIM hogA to burA hogaa| maiM samajhatA hUM ki hAra jAne para merI nindA hogI aura devadamanI kA mahattva bar3hegA kintu lokanindA alpasthAyI hotI hai| kucha dinoM meM vaha miTa jAtI hai| phira bhI maiM devadamanI ko jItanA cAhatA huuN| Apa mujhe jIta kA upAya btaaeN|' kSetrapAla kucha kSaNoM taka mauna rheN| phira ve prasanna svaroM meM bole-'vIra vikrama! tuma vAstava meM hI bhAgyazAlI ho| prativarSa devadamanI sikottarI devI ke samakSa phAlguna kRSNA caturdazI kI rAta meM nRtya karatI hai| vaha rAta parasoM hI hai| prntu....|' 'Apa kahate-kahate ruka kyoM gae?' vikrama ne AzAbharI dRSTi se puuchaa| 'rAjan ! jisa sthAna para yaha nRtya hotA hai, vaha sthAna yahAM se do sau yojana dUra hai aura vahAM pahuMcane ke lie samaya hai nhiiN|' 'devadamanI vahAM kaise pahuMcatI hai?' vikrama ne puuchaa| kSetrapAla ne kahA- 'vaha kucha hI kSaNoM meM vahAM pahuMca jAtI hai| usakI zakti apAra hai|' 'devarAja, maiM bhI vahAM kucha hI kSaNoM meM pahuMca jaauuNgaa| Apa mujhe sthAna kA nirdeza kareM aura mujhe kyA karanA hai, vaha btaaeN|' 216 vIra vikramAditya

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kSetrapAla ne kahA- 'rAjana! yahAM se uttara dizA meM do sau yojana kI darI para sikottara nAma kA eka sundara parvata hai| isa parvata ke madhya bhAga meM uccatama zikhara para sikottarI mAtA kA bhavya maMdira hai| isa devI kI devatA bhI pUjA karate haiM, isalie yaha pradeza janazUnya hai| vahAM kucheka vanavAsI rahate haiN| parasoM rAtri ke dUsare prahara meM indra apanI priyA aura mitroM ke sAtha vahAM aaeNge| usa samaya devadamanI bhI apanI cAra sakhiyoM ke sAtha aaegii| vaha sikottarI devI ke maMdira ke cauka meM indra ke samakSa nRtya kregii| devarAja indra usake nRtya se prasanna hokara use upahAra deNge| usa upahAra ko jyoM-tyoM prApta kara, tumheM yahAM A jAnA hai|' bIca meM hI vikrama ne pUchA- 'mahArAja! usa sabhA meM manuSya ko sthAna milegA?' 'hAM, rAjan ! sikottara parvata para rahane vAle vanavAsI usa utsava meM bhAga lete haiN| tumheM bhI vanavAsI ke veza meM unake madhya baiTha jAnA hai| tumheM koI bAdhA nahIM aaegii| devarAja indra aura unake mitro ko bhI tuma dekha skoge| devadamanI ko prApta hone vAle upahAra ko kisa prakAra prApta karanA hai, yaha tumheM hI socanA hogaa| ve upahAra prApta karane ke pazcAt dUsare dina jaba devadamanI zataraMja khelane ke lie tumhAre sAtha baiThe taba tumheM kisI bhI bahAne isa caturdazI kI bAta kahanI hogI aura prApta upahAra meM se kisI eka vastu ko dikhAnA hogaa| vaha isase tatkAla kSubdha hogI aura bAjI hAra jaaegii| isI prakAra dUsarI aura tIsarI bAjI meM bhI karanA hai aura vaha tInoM bAjiyAM hAra jaaegii|' 'mahArAja! Apa mere aura rAjya ke rakSaka haiN| Apane mujha para parama upakAra kiyA hai| aba kala sAyaM maiM naivedya upasthita kruuNgaa|' vikrama ne khaa| kSetrapAla ne prasanna dRSTi se vikrama kI ora dekhate hue kahA- 'rAjan ! rAjA aura rAjya kA rakSaNa karanA merA kartavya hai| jaba taka isa siMhAsana para baiThane vAle rAjA isa prakAra kA zraddhAbhAva rakheMge taba taka maiM apane kartavya kA pAlana karatA rhuuNgaa| jaba zraddhA kA dIpaka bujha jAegA, taba merA karttavya bhI pUrA ho jaaegaa| he rAjan ! choTe-bar3e sabhI devatA zraddhA aura bhakti ke vaza meM hote haiN|' usI samaya donoM dIpaka apane Apa bujha ge| aMdhakAra chA gyaa| sAkAra kSetrapAla bhI adRzya ho gyaa| vIra vikrama ne kSetrapAla kI mUrti ko puna: namana kiyA aura phira ve mandira se bAhara nikala ge| dUsare dina nizcita samaya para nAgadamanI apanI rUpavatI kanyA devadamanI ke sAtha usa dyUta-maMDapa meM A pahuMcI aura vIra vikrama bhI A ge| Aja zataraMja kA dUsarA khela prArambha karanA thaa| devadamanI bolI'mahArAja! Apa eka khela hAra cuke haiN|' vIra vikramAditya 217

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'mujhe yAda hai, devI!' 'Aja dUsarA khela prArambha ho rahA hai| yadi Apa isako jIta jAeMge to pahale khela kI merI jIta niSphala hogI aura yadi Apa hAra jAeMge to mujhe tIsarA khela bhI jItanA hogA / ' vIra vikrama ne muskarAte hue kahA - 'sundarI ! yadi tuma yaha jAnatI ho ki paMcadaMDa vAle chatra kI bAta jAnane ke lie hI maiM yaha prayatna kara rahA hUM to tuma yaha bAta mana se nikAla denaa| paMcadaMDa vAle chatra kI bAta jJAta ho jAe to acchA hai, kintu mana meM usake viSaya meM koI Agraha nahIM hai|' 'to phira yaha zarta kyoM kI Apane ?' devadamanI ne AzcaryabharI dRSTi se vikrama kI ora dekhate hue pUchA / vIra vikrama ne haMsate hue kahA - 'devadamanI ! tuma buddhimAna ho, tejasvI ho aura dUsare ke mana ko par3hane meM capala ho| phira bhI maiM zataraMja kA yaha anokhA khela kyoM khela rahA hUM, yaha tuma nahIM samajha skogii|' devadamanI kA Azcarya bar3hA | nAgadamanI madhyastha bhAva se cupa baiThI thii| vaha bola uThI- 'pRthvInAtha ! Apane to paMcadaMDa kI hI bAta kahI thii|' 'ThIka hai| yaha maiMne eka nimitta banAyA thaa| maiM jAnatA thA ki tumhArI putrI zataraMja khelane meM ati nipuNa hai, phira bhI maiMne zarta mAna lI / ' 'kyoM, mahArAja ?' devadamanI ne pUchA / 'hArane ke lie, sundarI ! eka tejasvinI nArI kA pUrA paricaya prApta karane ke lie mere samakSa dUsarA koI upAya nahIM thaa| maiM mAlava kA rAjA huuN| tuma merI prajA T ho / kisI kA dila dukhAnA doSa hai| jaba maiMne tumheM pahalI bAra dekhA to mere mana meM yaha jijJAsA jAgI ki tumhAre jaisI devadurlabha sundarI ke paricaya meM AnA caahie| eka rAjA hone ke kAraNa dUsare kisI bhI prakAra se maiM paricaya prApta nahIM kara sakatA / merI bhAvanA ke lie paMcadaMDa kI bAta sahAyaka siddha huii| mujhe lagA ki tumhAre sAtha jitane dina zataraMja khelane meM bIteMge, ve mere jIvana ke avismaraNIya dina hoNge|' devadamanI lajjArakta vadana se nIce dekhane lagI / nAgadamanI ne kahA- 'kRpAnAtha ! Apane pratiSThA aura kIrti ko dAMva para lagA diyaa| nizcita hI Apane lokanindA kI paravAha nahIM kI / ' bIca meM hI vikrama bole- 'nAgadamanI! aise devadurlabha kanyAratna ko prApta karane ke lie maiM tumheM dhanyavAda detA huuN| manuSya jaba bhAvanA ke pravAha meM bahatA hai, taba mAna, pratiSThA, kIrti - ye saba gauNa ho jAte haiM aura dekho, isa zarta kI pRSThabhUmi meM AzA kI eka kiraNa bhI thii|' 218 vIra vikramAditya

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devadamanI ne praznabharI dRSTi se vikrama kI ora dekhaa| vIra vikrama ne nAgadamanI kI ora dekhakara kahA- 'yadi maiM jIta gayA to merA svapna sAkAra hogA aura eka sundarI kA jIvana bhara sahacAra mila jaaegaa|' 'yadi Apa vijetA baneMge to maiM bhI dhanya ho jAUMgI, kintu yaha zakya nahIM hai' nAgadamanI ne khaa| 'nAgadamanI ! mujhe isakI bhI cintA nahIM hai| hArane kA nizcaya karake hI maiMne khelanA zurU kiyA hai| jaise vijaya kA Ananda apUrva hotA hai, vaise hI hAra meM chipI huI mastI bhI ananya hotI hai| aba hama khela prArambha kreN|' vIra vikrama ne yaha carcA sakAraNa kI thii| Aja kA khela adhUrA rahe, ve yaha cAhate the| kyoMki kala khelane ke pazcAt amAvasyA ke dina kSetrapAla dvArA nirdiSTa yukti ke anusAra khelanA cAhate the| devadamanI bhI vIra vikrama kI carcA se atyanta prabhAvita ho gaI thii| usake antara meM bhI yaha bhAvanA jAga gaI thI ki yadi vIra vikrama jaise pati mila jAeM to jIvana saphala ho jaae| usane jAna hI liyA thA ki vIra vikrama sundara, svastha aura tejomUrti haiN| jisa nArI ne pUrvajanma meM apUrva tapa tapA hai, use hI aise svAmI mila sakate haiN| kintu yaha AzA kaise saphala ho? khela meM hAra jAnA, yaha kisI bhI dRSTi se ucita nahIM hai aura hAre binA aisA priyatama milanA durlabha hai| taba? khela prArambha ho cukA thaa| devadamanI ne yaha nizcaya kara liyA thA ki Aja hI do bAra jIta jAnA hai, kintu sAMjha taka jIta-hAra kisI kI nahIM huii| khela adhUrA hI rhaa| nAgadamanI bolI-'kRpAnAtha! kala merI putrI kAraNavaza nahIM A sakegI, islie...|' __ 'koI bAta nahIM hai| parasoM hama phira kheleNge|' yaha kahakara vikrama uTha khar3e hue| nAgadamanI aura devadamanI bhI ghara kI ora cala pdd'iiN| vikrama ne bhavana meM Akara dekhA-kSetrapAla ke lie naivedya kI sAmagrI taiyAra kara ratha meM rakha dI gaI hai| vIra vikrama sabhI rAniyoM ko sAtha lekara kSetrapAla ke maMdira kI ora prasthita hue| sAtha meM aneka rakSaka bhI the| vIra vikramAditya 216

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44. sikottarI kA maMdira prAta:kAla kI jhAlara baja utthii| rAjabhavana kI vAdyamaMDalI ne prAta:kAla ke anurUpa rAginI pravAhita kii| gAyakavRnda prArthanA-gAna gAne lge| ___rAjA vIra vikrama siMdhukumArI lIlAdevI ke AvAsa meM so rahe the| svAmI ko gaharI nIMda meM soye hue jAnakara lIlAdevI ne unheM nahIM jgaayaa| vaha dhIre se palaMga se nIce utarI aura prAta:kAla kI taiyArI meM laga gii| kintu prAta: saMgIta kI svaralahariyAM sampUrNa rAjabhavana ko rasamaya banA rahI thIM aura vIra vikrama bhI kucha hI dera pazcAt jAgRta ho gae- unheM kucha yAda aayaa| Aja kRSNa pakSa kI amAvasyA hai| Aja zataraMja khelane devadamanI nahIM AegI; kyoMki usane kArya kA bahAnA banAyA hai| vIra vikrama ke kSetrapAla dvArA nirdiSTa upAya smRtipaTala para ubhara aayaa| ve zayyA se ekadama nIce utre| eka thAla meM par3e mukuTa aura uttarIya ko dhAraNa kara khaMDa se bAhara A ge| usI samaya lIlAdevI A pahuMcI aura svAmI ko bAhara jAte hue dekhakara bolI-'mahArAja! praat:kaary.....|' bIca meM hI vikrama ne muskarAte hue kahA- 'priye ! cintA mata kro| eka mahattva kA kArya yAda A gayA hai|' lIlAdevI ne vizeSa Agraha nahIM kiyaa| praNata hokara khar3I rhii| vIra vikrama usake gAla para thapakI dekara tvarita gati se cale ge| lIlAdevI ke AvAsa se ve sIdhe apane mukhya bhavana meM A ge| kalAvatI aura kamalAvatI usI bhavana meM sAtha rahatI thiiN| usa samaya donoM snAna karane gaI huI thiiN| vIra vikrama apane kakSa meM aae| ve prAta:kArya se nivRtta hue| itane meM hI kamalArAnI aura kalAvatI-donoM vahAM A phNcii| kamalAvatI ne Azcarya ke sAtha pUchA- 'Aja to Apa lIlAdevI ke AvAsa meM gae the na?' 'vahIM se A rahA huuN|' 'itane zIghra?' 'hAM, kucha kArya yAda A gayA, islie|' vIra vikrama ne donoM rAniyoM ke sAtha zataraMja kI kucha carcA kI aura kahA'priye! manuSya kA khela kabhI ananta nahIM hotaa| yaha khela bhI pUrA hogaa| jo vyakti khela meM hArane kA bhaya rakhatA hai, vaha kabhI vijayI nahIM ho sktaa| mujhe hArane kA 220 vIra vikramAditya

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tanika bhI bhaya nahIM hai| maiMne kala devadamanI se kahA thA ki maiM hArane ke lie hI khela rahA huuN|' donoM rAniyAM apane mahAna svAmI ke tejasvI vadana kI ora dekhane lgiiN| phira vIra vikrama maMtraNA-gRha meM ge| dvAra banda kara unhoMne apane mitra agnivaitAla ko yAda kiyaa| AMkheM banda kara sthira mana se vaitAla ko yAda karate hI kucha kSaNa meM ciraparicita hAsya vikrama ko sunAI diyaa| vikrama ne AMkheM kholakara dekhA to vaitAla usa maMtraNA-gRha meM sAmane khar3A-khar3A haMsa rahA thaa| vikrama ne prasannatA se vaitAla kA svAgata kiyA aura apane pAsa biThAte hue kahA-'citta to svastha hai na!' 'hAM, mitra! citta atyanta prasanna hai, kintu eka kaThinAI hai' -kahakara vaitAla haMsa pdd'aa| 'tumhAre kaThinAI.....?' 'hAM, mahArAja! patnI to eka hI hai, kintu usakA baMdhana eka hajAra patniyoM jitanA hai| usakI AjJA-pAlana meM hI mujhe ruka rahanA par3atA hai|' 'yaha koI kaThinAI nahIM hai, yaha to snehamaya madhura baMdhana hai| priyatama ko priyA ke aura priyA ko priyatama ke baMdhana meM baMdhe rahanA hI sahajIvana kA saccA sukha hai|' 'kintu priyA-priyA ke bIca AkAza-pAtAla kA antara hotA hai| phira bhI mujhe eka bAta se AzvAsana milatA rahatA hai|' vaitAla ne khaa| "kisa bAta se ? priyA ke bAhubaMdhana.... / ' vikrama bole| 'nahIM-nahIM, mahArAja! mujhe jaba Apa yAda Ate haiM, taba AzvAsana mila jAtA hai|' 'maiM samajhA nhiiN|' 'eka priyA ke baMdhana se hI maiM gale taka bhara gayA hUM, to phira tIsa priyAoM ke bIca rahane vAle ApakI kyA sthiti hotI hogI? basa, yaha vicAra AtA hai aura mujhe saMtoSa mila jAtA hai|' vaitAla ne khaa| vikrama ne haMsate hue kahA-'mitra! tIsa-tIsa patniyAM hote hue bhI maiM pUrNa mukta hUM aura ikatIsavIM priyA ko prApta karane ke lie tumheM yAda karanA par3A hai|' 'mahArAja! Apane kyA socA hai?' "bhAI! merI bAta suno', kahakara vikrama ne nAgadamanI, devadamanI, zataraMja kA khela, zarta aura saphalatA kA upAya-ye sArI bAteM vaitAla ko kaha sunaaii| vIra vikramAditya 221

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pUrI bAta sunane ke bAda agnivaitAla ne kahA- 'mahArAja! Apane yaha kyA kiyA? devadamanI to hamArI jAti meM bhI bahuta prasiddha hai| usane maMtrazakti se aneka devI-devatAoM ko prasanna kara apane vaza meM kiyA hai| kintu Apa nizcinta raheMmaiM ApakA kArya pUrA karUMgA aura Aja hI rAtri ke prathama prahara meM hama sikottara parvata para pahuMca jaaeNge| Apa veza parivartana kara taiyAra rheN| maiM to adRzya hI rahaMgA aura indra jo upahAra devadamanI ko deMge, maiM unakA apaharaNa kara luuNgaa|' mitra! mujhe vizvAsa thA ki yaha kArya tumhAre hAthoM se hI pUrA hogaa| aba to yahIM rahanA hai na?' 'nahIM, mahArAja ! maiM atyanta madhura kintu ati kaThora bandhana meM baMdhA haA huuN| mujhe abhI use prasanna kara rAta ke lie AjJA lenI hogii|' vaitAla bolaa| _ 'are, usako sAtha meM hI le lo n|' ___'nahIM, mahArAja! usakA svabhAva bahuta caMcala hai| samaya para hamArI yojanA hI ulaTa jaae|' agnivaitAla ne khaa| usI samaya usake pIche-pIche adRzya rUpa se AyI haI usakI patnI bolI-'mahArAja! Apake mitra kI bAta meM koI saccAI nahIM hai| Apake kArya meM kabhI bAdhaka nahIM huuN| kintu Apake mitra hI aise haiM ki ve kSaNa bhara ke lie bhI mere se alaga nahIM raha skte| vAstava meM mere madhura bandhana ko inhoMne apane kaThora bandhana meM jakar3a rakhA hai|' mahArAjA ne mitra kI patnI kA satkAra karate hue kahA- 'devI ! tumhArI bAta sunakara mujhe bahuta Ananda aayaa| svAmI ke kaThora bandhana ko madhuratA meM badala dene kA kArya tumhArA hai| saMsAra meM mAdhurya ke samakSa kaThoratA lAcAra banI rahatI hai|' vaitAla-patnI apane svAmI kI ora dekhakara haMsa pdd'ii| vaha bolI-'Apa mauna kyoM ho gae? Aja maiM bhI Apake sAtha hI calUMgI aura mahArAjA ke kArya meM sahAyaka bnuuNgii| mahArAjA ko bhI vizvAsa ho jAegA ki maiM caMcala nahIM, kintu catura huuN|' 'agara tumacaMcala nahIM hotI, to mere pIche-pIche guptacarI karane kyoM AtI?' 'guptacarI karane nahIM AyI hUM, kintu yaha jAnane AyI hUM ki Apa mahArAjA vikrama ke samakSa merI kyA bAta karate haiM ?' pati-patnI kA yaha mIThA kalaha Age na bar3he, isalie vikrama ne Age kahA'bhAbhIjI! tumhAre Agamana se maiM bahuta khuza huuN| merA mitra mere sAtha vacana se baMdhA huA hai, isalie use mere kArya meM sahayoga denA par3atA hai kintu tuma vacanabaddha na hone para bhI jo sahayoga denA cAhatI ho, yaha zubha hai| tuma avazya hI sAtha aanaa|' 222 vIra vikramAditya

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phira vaitAla aura usakI patnI vahAM se vidA ho ge| vikrama maMtraNA-gRha se bAhara aae| ve bahuta dinoM bAda Aja rAjasabhA meM gae the| vahAM kA kArya sampanna kara ve rAjabhavana kI ora cle| usa samaya madhyAhna kAla bIta cukA thaa| rAtri kA prArambha hote hI vIra vikrama ne vanavAsI kA veza dhAraNa kiyaa| svAmI ko isa veza meM dekhakara kalA aura kamalA-donoM rAniyAM haMsa pdd'ii| vikrama ne pUchA- 'kyA chadma veza yathArtha nahIM lagatA?' 'mahArAja! Apa to veza-parivartana meM bahuta nipuNa haiN|' 'to phira haMsane kA kAraNa ?' 'ApakA yaha veza! kisI dina nahIM aura Aja Apane aisA chadma veza dhAraNa kyoM kiyA hai?' 'priye! Aja mujhe kucha dUra jAnA hai|' 'kitanI dUra ?' 'tuma cintA mata krnaa| maiM samaya para A jaauuNgaa| kintu sArI bAta do dina bAta hI kahUMgA / jaba taka kArya siddha na ho jAe, taba taka kucha kahanA ucita nahIM hai|' vikrama ne donoM priyAoM kI ora dekhakara khaa| phira ve bhavana ke gupta dvAra se rAjabhavana ke upavana meM cale ge| kucha hI samaya pazcAt vaitAla apanI patnI ke sAtha A phuNcaa| aura vaitAla kI daivI zakti ke prabhAva se mAtra ardha-ghaTikA meM tInoM sikottara parvata para sthita sikottarI devI ke maMdira meM pahuMca ge| vaitAla bolA- 'mahArAja! Aja ke utsava ko dekhane ke lie vanavAsI A rahe haiN| Apa bhI unake sAtha mila jaanaa| maiM aura merI priyatamA adRzya rUpa se maMdira meM hI cale jAte haiN|' vikrama ne vaitAla dampati kA AbhAra mAnA aura ve maMdira kI ora agrasara hue| ___ abhI rAtri kA prathama prahara cala rahA thaa| lagabhaga bIsa vanavAsI maMdira ke bAhara ke prAMgaNa meM Akara baiTha gae the| vikrama bhI unake bIca zAMti se baiTha ge| maMdira ke sabhA-maMDapa ke dvAra se vikrama ne andara jhaaNkaa| usane dekhA, devadamanI cAra sundara yuvatiyoM ke sAtha eka ora baiThI hai| usane uttama vastrAlaMkAra dhAraNa kara rakhe the| usake mastaka para tejasvI vajraratna-jaTita dAminI bijalI kI taraha camaka rahI thii| nIlamavajra ke bAjUbaMdha, nIlamavajra ke kaMkaNa, muktA, nIlama vIra vikramAditya 223

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aura vajraratna kI mAlAeM, maNijaTita karNapUra Adi aneka alaMkAra dekhakara rAjA vikrama Azcarya-mugdha ho ge| aise mUlyavAn alaMkAra devadamanI ko kahAM se prApta hue hoMge ? kisI samrAT ke yahAM bhI durlabha aise kauzeya vastra usane pahana rakhe the| sukesarI raMga kA kamarapaTTa ! bAdala ke raMga kA kaMcukI-bandha aura gahare gulAbI raMga kA uttarIya ! vAstava meM devadamanI devakanyA kI bhAMti laga rahI thii| usane apanI vizAla kezarAzi kA kamalaguccha banAyA thA aura usameM sundara puSpa guMthe the| vikrama ne mana-hI- mana socA - yaha devadamanI apUrva saundarya se maMDita hai....indra ke pAsa itanI apsarAoM ke hote hue bhI nRtyAMganA banane kA saubhAgya ise kaise prApta huA hai ? aura vikrama ne sikottarI mAtA kI bhavya pratimA kI ora dekhA - ' are ! kyA yaha maNiratna kI pratimA hai yA sphaTika kI ? kitanI camaka hai ? dekhane vAloM ko aisA hI pratIta hotA hai ki sAkSAt devI sikottarI siMhAsana para virAjamAna haiM ..... aura usakA pujArI..... ati vRddha hone para bhI kitanA balazAlI hai ? vikrama anya dizA kI ora dekhe, usase pUrva hI indra ke mitra aura unakI patniyAM vahAM pahuMca gyiiN| sabhI devI ko namana kara apane-apane nirdhArita sthAna para baiTha gaye / kucha hI kSaNoM pazcAt devendra apanI priyA ke sAtha dRzya hue| donoM ne sikottarI devI ko bhAvapUrNa namana kiyA aura divya puSpoM kI do mAlAeM pujArI ke hAtha meM sauMpIIM....... vahAM cAra apsarAeM, ATha-dasa devatA, dasa-dAsiyAM A ge| vikrama ne socA - ye saba kisa mArga se Ae hoMge ? kintu isa prazna kA uttara abhI khoja pAnA kaThina thaa| sabhI deva-devI yathA-sthAna baiTha gae.... aura vayovRddha pujArI ne eka hajAra eka dIpakoM kI AratI utArane kI taiyArI kI / vikrama ne yaha bhI dekhA ki gAMdharvoM kI eka vAdyamaMDalI apane vividha vAdyoM ke sAtha devadamanI ke pAsa baiTha gaI hai| AratI prArambha huI / ghaMTAnAda, jhAlara kI jhanakAra aura kAMsyavAdyoM kI dhvani se adbhuta vAtAvaraNa nirmita ho rahA thaa| 224 vIra vikramAditya

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45. devadamanI hAra gaI devI sikottarI kI AratI sampanna huii| sabhI deva khar3e ho ge| indra apanI patnI ke sAtha sabase Age aayaa| devadamanI aura usakI dAsiyAM bhI khar3I ho giiN| bAhara ke prAMgaNa meM baiThe vanavAsI bhI khar3e ho ge| deva kI stuti prAraMbha huii| isa avasara kA lAbha uThAte hue agnivaitAla ne apanI patnI ko mAnava sundarI kA rUpa dhAraNa kara devadamanI kI dAsiyAM ke sAtha khar3e rahane ke lie khaa| vaitAla-patnI ne tatkAla vaisA hI kiyaa| lagabhaga eka ghaTikA paryanta stutigAna hotA rhaa| indra kI stuti pUrI hote hI devI sikottarI ke gale se tatkAla do divya puSpamAlAeM svata: nikalakara indra aura usakI patnI ke gale meM Aropita ho giiN| sabhI ne ullAsa ke sAtha devI sikottarI kA jaya-jayakAra kiyA aura vRddha pujArI ne sabako caraNAmRta diyaa| isa vidhi ke sampanna hote hI sabhAmaMDapa meM khar3e deva aura devAMganAeM-sabhI apane-apane sthAna para baiTha ge| gAMdharvaloka ke vAdyakAroM ne 'padmaRjA' nAma kI apUrva rAginI prArambha kii| aura devadamanI khar3I huI...indra mahArAja ko namaskAra kara usane devI sikottarI ke samakSa 'devavaMdanA' nAma kA nRtya prArambha kiyaa| vanavAsI ke veza meM vikrama Azcaryamugdha hokara devadamanI ke rUpa-lAvaNya ko hI nirakha rahe the| aisA AkarSaka mAdhurya aura aisI mahAn nRtyasiddhi ! kyA devadamanI koI apsarA hai? padmaRjA nAma kI rAginI ko vikrama samajha nahIM pA rahe the, kintu unhoMne yaha avazya jAna liyA thA ki gAMdharvaloka ke mahAsaMgIta kI yaha koI apUrvarAginI hai....isakI svara-lahariyAM devatAoM ko bhI sthira-stabdha banA rahI haiN| kintu devadamanI kA aMga-maror3a, hAtha kI mudrAeM, bhAvoM kI abhivyakti, tirache nayanoM kI bhAvamastI aura svayaM kI yauvana chaTA adbhuta thii| kyA yahI devadamanI mere sAtha zataraMja khelatI hai ? vikrama vAstava meM hI usa para mugdha ho rahe the| devavandanA kA nRtya pUrA huaa| indra ne prasanna hokara naMdanavana ke divya phUloM kI eka mAlA devadamanI kI ora pheNkii| devadamanI ne indra ko namana kara usa puSpamAlA ko dUra baiThI dAsiyoM kI ora pheNkaa| vIra vikramAditya 225

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agnivaitAla kI patnI ne tatkAla use jhela liyA aura apane karaMDaka meM sAvadhAnIpUrvaka rakha liyA / devadamanI kI cAroM dAsiyoM ne avAk rahakara usa nayI sundarI kI ora dekhaa| unhoMne socA, yaha dAsI devadamanI kI koI priya sakhI pratIta hotI hai aura avaMtI se hI sAtha AyI ho aisA lagatA hai| aura devadamanI ne dUsarA nRtya prArambha kiyaa| isa nRtya ke anurUpa gAMdharvoM eka masta rAginI prArambha kii| isa dUsare nRtya meM devadamanI ne apanI kalA ke adbhuta rUpa prastuta kie| ullAsa aura preraNA ke bhAva usake aMga-pratyaMga se nikharane lge| sabhI devI-devatA ekaTaka use nihAra rahe the / indra atyanta prasanna ho rahA thA aura prAMgaNa meM baiThe hue vikrama bhI mugdha ho rahe the / unako yaha bhI bhAna nahIM thA ki ve yahAM kisa prayojana se Ae haiM ? vaha dUsarA abhinaya nRtya sampanna huaa| indra ne prasanna hokara eka ratnajaTita nUpura devadamanI kI ora uchaalaa| devadamanI ne nUpura ko jhelakara indra aura indrANI ke samakSa mastaka namAyA aura upahAra meM prApta nUpura ko dAsiyoM kI ora pheNkaa| vaitAla-patnI ne use bhI capalatA se jhelakara karaMDaka meM rakha liyA / vaitAla-patnI ne jo puSpamAlA aura nUpura karaMDaka meM rakhA thA use vaitAla uThA le gyaa| prAMgaNa meM baiThe vikrama kevala nRtya, nRtyAMganA aura devasabhA meM apane Apako kho baiThe the| devadamanI ne tIsarA nRtya prArambha kiyaa| isameM vidAI ke madhura bhAva ubhara rahe the| rAtri kA tIsarA prahara pUrA hone vAlA thA aura devadamanI kA yaha vidAI - nRtya pUrNendu kI zItala cAMdanI kI taraha zobhita ho rahA thA / vaMdanA, ullAsa, preraNA aura anta meM vidAI kI bhAvabharI UrmiyAM / devatA dhanya-dhanya kahane lage aura cauthe prahara kI eka ghaTikA ke bAda nRtya pUrA huA / indra atyanta prasanna the| unhoMne svarNa kI eka DibiyA meM manuSya ko navayauvana arpita karane meM samartha eka guTikA rakhakara urvazI kI taraha zobhita hone vAlI devadamanI kI ora use pheNkaa| devadamanI ne DibiyA thAma lI / usane bhAvapUrvaka namana kara usa DibiyA ko bhI dAsiyoM kI ora pheNkaa| vaitAla-patnI ne use bhI bIca meM hI thAmakara karaMDaka meM rakha liyaa| usI kSaNa vaitAla ne usa DibiyA kA haraNa kara liyaa| 226 vIra vikramAditya

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sabhI devatA khar3e hue aura devI sikottarI ko praNAma kara vahAM se prasthita hone lge| agnivaitAla bhI apanI patnI ke sAtha adRzya hokara bAhara A gyaa| jo cAra dAsiyAM thIM, ve indra kI bhejI huI thiiN| ve bhI adRzya ho giiN| vaitAla ne adRzya rahakara hI mugdhabhAva se devadamanI ko ekaTaka nihArane vAle vikrama kA kaMdhA hilaayaa| vikrama sAvadhAna ho ge| ve vanavAsiyoM ke madhya se bAhara aae| kucha dUra jAne para dRzya hokara vaitAla bolA- 'mahArAja! ApakA kArya pUrA ho gayA hai| indra ne sabase pahale naMdanavana ke aise puSpoM kI mAlA dI thI, jo eka varSa taka bhI nahIM murjhaaye| dUsarI bAra unhoMne eka ratnajaTita nUpura diyA thA aura tIsarI bAra yauvana ko banAe rakhane vAlI eka guTikA svarNa kI DibiyA meM rakhakara dI thii| ye tInoM vastueM mere pAsa haiN| devadamanI ko usakA patA bhI nahIM hai| aba hamako zIghra hI avaMtI pahuMca jAnA caahie|' ____ vaitAla-patnI bola uThI- 'mahArAja! Apake mitra jhUThI zekhI baghAra rahe haiN| ina tInoM vastuoM ko maiMne jhelA thaa|' ___ 'merI dRSTi meM tuma donoM eka ho...maiM donoM kA AbhAra mAnatA huuN|' vikrama ne khaa| bIca meM hI vaitAla bola uThA-'karttavya-pAlana meM AbhAra yA upacAra zobhA nahIM detaa| aba Apa merA hAtha pakar3a leN| devadamanI vahAM pahuMce usase pahale hI hameM vahAM pahuMca jAnA hai aura merI gharavAlI eka camatkAra bhI kregii|' 'kyA?' 'devadamanI eka vRkSa para baiThakara AyI hai| usI vRkSa para baiThakara vaha lauttegii| dekheM, vaha maMdira se bAhara nikala rahI hai| usake hAtha meM eka karaMDaka hai| vaha karaMDaka khAlI hai, aisI kalpanA bhI use nahIM hai| jaise hI yaha vRkSa avaMtI kI ora ur3egA, merI patnI adRzya rUpa se usa vRkSa para baiTha jaaegii| mArga meM eka sarovara AtA hai| vRkSa jaba sarovara ke Upara ur3egA, taba merI patnI devadamanI ke hAtha se usa karaMDaka ko nIce girA degii| karaMDaka sarovara meM hI giregaa| devadamanI use pA nahIM skegii| vaha yaha mAnegI ki upahAra meM prApta tInoM vastueM Akasmika DhaMga se nIce gira par3I haiN|' vikrama bole- 'taba to isa kArya kA sArA yaza tumhArI patnI ko hI milanA caahie|' vIra vikramAditya 227

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vaitAla-patnI ne kahA- 'mahArAja! maiM jAnatI huuN| devadamanI se pUrva hI mujhe vRkSa para baiTha jAnA hai|' vaitAla aura vikrama bhI AkAzamArga se ur3a cle| kRSNa pakSa kI cturdshii| tAroM kA manda prakAza pRthvI para par3a rahA thaa| devadamanI vRkSa para baiTha gii| vaha vicitra bhASA meM kucha maMtra bolI aura usI kSaNa vRkSa vimAna kI bhAMti AkAza meM ur3ane lgaa| lagabhaga eka ghaTikA ke bAda vaha vRkSa eka sarovara ke Upara se jA rahA thaa| devadamanI ne usa karaMDaka ko eka DAlI para rakhakara usako hAtha se pakar3a rakhA thaa| acAnaka karaMDaka devadamanI ke hAtha se chuuttaa| devadamanI cauNkii| nIce vizAla sarovara dikhAI diyaa| aba kyA ho? tAroM ke maMda prakAza meM usane dekhA ki karaMDaka sarovara meM jA girA hai| upahArasvarUpa prApta vastuoM kA milanA aba azakya hai, yaha usane jAna liyaa| kucha hI kSaNoM meM vRkSa sarovara ko pAra kara Age bar3ha gyaa| kArya pUrA kara vaitAla-patnI adRzya rUpa se vRkSa ko chor3akara apane svAmI kI ora ur3a gii| avaMtI ke rAjabhavana meM jaba tInoM pahaMce taba prAta:kAla hone vAlA hI thaa| vaitAla ne devadamanI ko upahAra meM prApta tInoM vastueM mahArAja vikrama ko sauMpa diiN| vikrama ne unheM rukane kA Agraha kiyA, para ve ruke nahIM aura kakSa se hI adRzya ho ge| vikrama vizrAma karane ke lie eka Asana para baitthe| prAta:kAla kA samaya ho gyaa| rAjagAyakoM ne prArthanAgAna prAraMbha kara diyA thaa| vAdyakAroM ke vAdya bhI prAta:kAla kA abhinaMdana kara rahe the| dAsa-dAsI jAgRta hone lge| vikrama ne eka dAsa ko bulAkara choTI peTikA mNgaaii| vaha mahArAja ko itanA jaldI jAgRta hue dekhakara Azcaryacakita raha gyaa| vaha tatkAla gayA aura choTI peTikA le aayaa| mahArAjA vikrama ne kahA- 'mere snAna kI taiyArI kr|' . dAsa praNata hokara calA gyaa| vikrama ne usa choTI peTikA meM sabase nIce guTikA vAlI svarNa DibiyA, usake Upara svarNa nUpura aura usake Upara puSpamAlA rkhii| phira usa choTI peTikA ko lekara ve apane khaMDa meM ge| usakA nijI paricAraka rAmadAsa uTha gayA thaa| vaha namana kara bolA-'mahArAja! lagatA hai Apa abhIabhI padhAre haiM?' 'hAM, rAmadAsa ! mahAdevI abhI so rahI haiM ?' 228 vIra vikramAditya

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'hAM, kRpAnAtha! dera rAta taka donoM mahAdeviyAM ApakI pratIkSA meM jAgatI rhiiN| kyA unheM jagAUM?' ___ 'nahIM, tU mere vastra taiyAra kara / dekha, isa peTikA ko saMbhAlakara rkhnaa| jaba maiM zataraMja khelane jAUM, taba mere pAsa lAkara ise rakha denaa|' 'jI' kahakara rAmadAsa ne peTikA ko surakSita rakha diyaa| phira vaha bAhara calA gyaa| vIra vikrama jaba snAnagRha meM gae, taba donoM rAniyAM jAgRta ho bAhara A gaI thiiN| jaba unhoMne rAmadAsa ke muMha se mahArAjA ke Ane kI bAta sunI, taba ve nizcinta ho giiN| ___ yathAsamaya vIra vikrama usa choTI peTikA ko lekara zataraMja khelane ke maMDapa meM pahuMca ge| devadamanI abhI vahAM pahuMcI nahIM thii| vikrama ne usa peTikA ko isa prakAra rakhA ki kholane para bhI devadamanI usameM rakhI huI cIjeM dekha na ske| vIra vikrama ke mAnasa para abhI bhI devadamanI kA nRtyAMganA kA svarUpa nAca rahA thaa| aisI mahAn kalA...aisA rUpa aura aisI siddhi mere hI rAjya kI eka telina lar3akI meM / vikrama kA hRdaya Azcarya se bharA thaa| unhoMne devadamanI ko kSubdha karane kA upAya soca liyA thaa| / usI samaya maMDapa kA dvAra khulaa| devadamanI apanI mAM nAgadamanI ke sAtha maMDapa meM praviSTa huii| vikrama ne donoM kA svAgata kiyaa| nAgadamanI bolI- 'kRpAnAtha! prAta:kArya sampanna karane meM kucha vilamba ho gayA thA, isalie yahAM kucha vilamba se pahuMce haiN| maiM kSamA cAhatI huuN|' 'nahIM-nahIM, nAgadamanI ! saMsArI prANiyoM ke aneka jhaMjhaTa hote haiN| kisI dina vilamba bhI ho jAtA hai|' yaha kahakara vikrama ne devadamanI kI ora dekhaa| devadamanI apane Asana para baiTha gii| vikrama ne pUchA-'devadamanI! citta prasanna to haina?' _ 'hAM, mahArAja! merA citta atyanta Anandita aura AhlAdita hai| Aja maiM Apako dUsarI bAra harAne ke utsAha ke sAtha AyI huuN|' 'taba to mujhe bahuta Ananda aaegaa| yadi maiM hArUMgA to bhI sundarI se parAjita hone kA gaurava milegaa|' zataraMja kA khela prAraMbha huaa| Aja zataraMja kA khela khelate-khelate mahArAja vikrama vicAramagna ho jAte aura vilamba se cAla clte| isa prakAra ATha-dasa cAla calane ke pazcAt devadamanI vIra vikramAditya 226

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ne pUchA- 'mahArAja! Aja Apa asvastha to nahIM haiM ? itane vicAra-magna kaise ho jAte haiM?' 'devI ! maiM pUrNa svastha hUM, kintu uttararAtri meM maiMne eka vicitra svapna dekhA thaa| vaha mere mana para amiTa chApa chor3a cukA hai| maiM use vismRta karanA cAhatA hUM, para vaha mAnasa-paTala se haTatA hI nhiiN|' 'svapna?' 'hAM, devadamanI! vaise to mujhe svapna Ate hI nahIM, kintu isa rAtri ke svapna meM tuma thI, isalie maiM use bhulA nahIM pA rahA huuN|' devadamanI ne haMsate hue kahA- 'mahArAja! yadi ApakI icchA ho to vaha svapna Apa mujhe btaaeN|' vikrama do kSaNa mauna rahe, phira devadamanI kI ora dekhakara bole-'devI! svapna bahuta vicitra aura anokhA hai| maiM aise parvata para car3hA, jisako maiMne kabhI nahIM dekhA thaa| bhUkha aura pyAsa se maiM Akula-vyAkula ho rahA thaa| saMdhyA bIta cukI thii| rAtri kA aMdhakAra saghana hotA jA rahA thaa| mere meM calane kI zakti bhI cuka gaI thii| vahAM kucha dUrI para eka choTI jhoMpar3I dikhAI dii| maiM jyoM-jyoM vahAM phuNcaa| usa jhopar3I meM vanavAsI rahate the| unhoMne mujhe bhojana kraayaa| mujhe bahuta saMtoSa huaa| ve vanavAsI bole-bhAI! Aja hamAre mAtAjI kA utsava hai| kyA tuma dekhane caloge ? maiM akelA baiThA-baiThA kyA krtaa| unake sAtha utsava dekhane cala pdd'aa| hama eka vizAla maMdira ke prAMgaNa meM phuNce| maMdira meM itanA prakAza thA ki dina kA AbhAsa ho rahA thaa| mandira se saurabha nikala rahI thii| maiM ekaTaka maMdira ko dekha rahA thaa| maiM cauNkaa| mujhe lagA ki maMdira ke sabhAmaMDapa meM aneka devIdevatA baiThe haiM aura unake samakSa tuma nRtya kara rahI ho|' devadamanI cauMkI, kintu usI kSaNa haMsakara bolI- 'kyA Apane mujhe dekhA? asambhava / devI-devatAoM ke madhya maiM kaise jA sakatI hU~?' kintu merA svapna sunane jaisA hai| jaise hI tumane pahalA nRtya pUrA kiyA, taba devatAoM meM zreSTha eka deva ne tuma para puSpamAlA pheMkI, tumane vaha le lI aura use dUra baiThI pAMca-chaha sundara striyoM kI ora uchAla dii|' 'mahArAja ! yaha svapna kabhI satya nahIM ho sktaa| Apako zAyada bhrama huA hai|' 'nahIM, devI ! mujhe bhrama nahIM huA hai| maiM eka bAra jise dekha letA hUM, use kabhI bhUlatA nhiiN|' vIra vikrama ne khaa| __ 'nahIM, mahArAja! yaha svapna bhrama hI hai, aura kucha nhiiN|' 230 vIra vikramAditya

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'nahIM, devI ! mere pAsa usakA pramANa bhI hai|' kahakara vikrama ne gupta rUpa se rakhI huI usa peTikA se naMdanavana ke puSpoM kI mAlA nikAlI aura devadamanI kI ora pheMkate hue kahA - 'isa puSpamAlA ko maiMne svapna meM dekhA thA aura jaba maiM jAgA taba dekhA ki vaha puSpamAlA merI zayyA para par3I hai / ' puSpamAlA ko dekhakara devadamanI kSubdha ho gii| vaha kucha nahIM bolii| vikrama ne zataraMja kA khela cAlU rakhA / mAtra ardha ghaTikA ke bhItara devadamanI bAjI hAra gaI / nAgadamanI bhI cauNkii| usane socA, merI putrI kabhI kisI se parAjita nahIM hotI, Aja vaha phira kaise hAra gii| kala rAtri meM devadamanI apanI maMtra - vidyA se sikottara parvata para gaI thI aura indra ne puSpamAlA kA upahAra diyA thA, para vaha upahAra to sarovara meM gira gayA thA / I vikrama ne dUsarI bAjI prAraMbha kii| devadamanI kucha svastha ho gaI thI / zataraMja kA khela Age bddh'aa| vikrama bole- 'devI! merA svapna tumane pUrA nahIM sunaa| tumane vahAM dUsarA nRtya prArambha kiyaa| vaha nRtya bahuta adbhuta thaa| maiM use dekhatA hI rhaa| jaba nRtya pUrA huA taba bar3e devatA ne prasanna hokara eka ratnajaTita nUpura tumako upahArasvarUpa diyA / ' 'mahArAja! Apa kyA kaha rahe haiM ? svapna jhUThA hotA hai / ' 'nahIM, devI ! yaha rahA vaha nUpura / ' kahakara vikrama ne peTikA se nUpura nikAlA aura devadamanI kI goda meM DAla diyaa| maiMne isI nUpura ko svapna meM dekhA thA, para patA nahIM kaise yaha bhI zayyA para par3A huA milA / ' devadamanI atyanta kSubdha ho gaI / vaha dUsarI bAjI bhI hAra gii| vikrama bole- 'devadamanI ! maiMne do bAjiyAM lagAtAra jIta lI haiN| yadi maiM isa tIsarI bAjI ko bhI jIta letA hUM to tumheM mere sAtha vivAha karanA hogA aura paMcadaMDa vAle chatra kI bAta batAnI hogI / ' devadamanI ne kahA- 'mahArAja ! abhI Apane mujhe do bAra hI jItA hai| tIsarI bAra Apa kabhI nahIM jIta skte|' vikrama ne kahA- 'devadamanI ! maiM to prArambha se hI kahatA rahA hUM ki maiM hArane ke Ananda ke lie hI khela rahA huuN| tumhAre jaisI niSNAta ke samakSa hAranA bhI jIvana kA apUrva Ananda hai, kintu pratIta hotA hai ki Aja tumhArA citta kucha asvastha hai / tumhArI icchA ho to Aja tIsarI bAjI na khelakara ise kala ke lie sthagita kara deM / ' vIra vikramAditya 231

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'nahIM, mahArAja! niyama ke anusAra maiM avazya kheluuNgii| maiM tanika bhI asvastha nahIM huuN|' aura tIsarI bAjI prAraMbha huii| vikrama ne svapna-kathA prAraMbha karate hue kahA- 'devI ! svapna bahuta vicitra thaa| maiMne dekhA ki tumane tIsarA nRtya prArambha kiyaa| vaha nRtya atyanta bhavya aura AhlAdaka thaa| usa nRtya kI sampannatA para tumheM upahAra svarUpa svarNa kI eka DibiyA milii....|' 'kRpAnAtha.....!' 'maiM saca kahatA hUM, devadamanI ! vaha DibiyA bhI mujhe prAta:kAla zayyA para milii| dekho, yaha rahI DibiyA....' kahakara vikrama ne svarNa kI vaha DibiyA devadamanI ko dii| devadamanI ke hRdaya meM atyanta kSobha huaa| vaha tIsarI bAjI bhI hAra gii| tatkAla vIra vikrama apane Asana se uThakara bole-'priye! zarta ke anusAra maiMne tInoM bAjiyAM eka-eka kara jIta lI haiN| tumane mere hArane ke Ananda kA apaharaNa kara liyA hai|' devadamanI kA vadana lajjA se lAla ho gyaa| vaha uThI aura vikrama ke caraNoM meM jhuka gii| nAgadamanI bolI-'mahArAja! zarta ke anusAra Apa merI beTI ko svIkAra kreN| Apa kaheM usI dina vidhivat vivAha kI rasma pUrI kruuNgii|' ___'maiM rAja-jyotiSI ko pUchakara kahUMgA'-kahakara vikrama ne devadamanI ko donoM hAtha pakar3akara uThAyA aura rasa-bharI vANI meM kahA-'priye! bahuta bAra satya svapna kA rUpa dhAraNa kara AtA hai|' devadamanI nIcI dRSTi kie khar3I rhii| 46. paMcadaMDa chatra kI jAnakArI apanI putrI devadamanI ko lekara nAgadamanI ghara kI ora gii| devadamanI ke mana meM eka prazna bAra-bAra ubhara rahA thA-maiM sikottarI devI ke mandira meM gaI thI aura maiMne indra ke samakSa nRtya kara unase tIna durlabha vastueM upahArasvarUpa prApta kI thiiN| kintu isakI jAnakArI mahArAjA vikramAditya ko kaise huI ? aura sarovara meM girI vastueM mahArAja ke pAsa kaise A gaIM? 232 vIra vikramAditya

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ghara jAkara nAgadamanI ne putrI se pUchA- 'beTI! terA hAra jAnA mere lie nayI bAta hai| zataraMja ke khela meM tU itanI niSNAta hai ki tujhe koI jIta nahIM sktaa| parantu tU hAra gii| yaha kaise huA? rAjarAjezvara ne terI gupta bAta kaise jAna lI? maMtrazakti ke bala para hI tU itanI dUra gaI thii| mahArAjA itanI dUra jA sakeM, yaha asaMbhava thA....sAyaMkAla jaba maiMne pUchatAcha kI to patA calA ki mahArAjA bhavana meM hI haiM....aura rAtri-carcA ke lie bhI nagara meM gae the|' 'mAM! maiM kucha bhI nahIM jAna skii|' 'koI bAta nahIM hai, beTI! terI hAra meM bhI tere jIvana kA Ananda chipA huA hai| sAta-sAta janma taka tapa karane para bhI aise svAmI nahIM mila sakate....jo kucha huA hai, vaha acchA hI huA hai| kintu vivAha ke pazcAt tujhe apanI maryAdA meM rahanA hai|' 'hAM, mAM! avaMtInAtha kI rAnI ke pada-gaurava ko maiM surakSita rkhuugii| maiM apanI sAdhanA ko eka ora rakha dUMgI, kevala svAmI kI icchA ke adhIna hI rhuuNgii|' devadamanI ne khaa| 'isa bAta se maiM nizcinta hUM...kintu mahArAja ke aura bhI aneka rAniyAM haiN| tujhe una sabake sAtha dUdha-mizrI kI taraha rahanA hogaa|' 'hAM, mAM! ananta janmoM kI tapazcaryA se prApta svAmI ke anukUla rahaMgI....eka bAta kA maiM tumheM vizvAsa dilAtI haM ki tumhAre pAsa choTI-bar3I koI bhI zikAyata nahIM aayegii|' devadamanI ne hRdaya ke bhAva khe| putrI kI yaha bAta sunakara mAM nAgadamanI atyanta prasanna huii| aura rAjabhavana ke sAre samAcAra vAyu-vega se prasRta ho gae the| sabase pahale vIra vikrama ne kamalA aura kalA ko apanI vijaya kA saMvAda sunaayaa| svAmI kA vijaya-saMvAda sunakara donoM rAniyAM atyanta harSita hokara svAmI ke caraNoM meM jhuka giiN| vikrama ne donoM kA AliMgana kara kahA, 'yaha vijaya merI nahIM hai, yaha tuma donoM kI bhAvanA kA pariNAma hai|' yaha carcA cala hI rahI thI, anta:pura kI anyAnya rAniyAM bhI apanA harSa vyakta karane ke lie vahAM A phuNciiN| vIra vikrama ne pratyeka rAnI kA AzleSa lete hue unakI prasannatA ko bar3hAyA aura pratyeka rAnI ko eka-eka ratnahAra arpita karane kI bAta khii| jaise ye samAcAra rAjabhavana meM phaila gae the, usI prakAra rAtri ke prathama prahara meM pUrI nagarI meM mahArAjA kI vijaya aura maMtrazakti-sampanna devadamanI kI parAjaya kA samAcAra bhI prasRta ho gyaa| vIra vikramAditya 233

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aba eka-eka padAdhikArI Ane lge| mahAmaMtrI bhaTTamAtra ne Azcarya vyakta karate hue kahA, 'kRpAnAtha! Apane azakya ko zakya banA DAlA....nagarI meM kisI ko yaha vizvAsa nahIM thA ki Apa devadamanI ko harA deNge|' vIra vikrama ne gambhIra svaroM meM kahA, 'mahAmaMtrI! yaha vijaya merI huI hai, yaha Apa na mAneM....Apa sabakI cintA aura prArthanA kA hI yaha pariNAma hai| mujhe isa bAta kA harSa hai ki merI janatA sadA mere kalyANa kI kAmanA karatI rahatI hai| isa vijaya kI khuzI meM kala yAcaka jo kucha bhI mAMgeM, vaha unheM mile, aisI vyavasthA kara denaa|' aura dUsare dina gAMva ke hajAroM-hajAroM loga mahArAja kA abhinandana karane aae| rAjA ne apanI priya prajA kA ucita satkAra kiyaa| ___janatA ke ullAsa ko dekhakara vIra vikrama ne yaha jAna liyA ki jo rAjA prajA ke sukha meM sukhI aura du:kha meM du:khI hotA hai, to prajA bhI rAjA ke sukha meM sukhI aura duHkha meM du:khI hotI hai| jo rAjA sattA ke mada meM pAgala bana jAtA hai, aura janatA ko pIr3ita karatA hai, vaha rAjA yA padAdhikArI eka dina janatA kI AhoM se bhasmasAt ho jAtA hai| rAjapurohita ne nauveM dina vivAha kA zubha muhUrta nikAlA aura usa dina janatA ke apAra ullAsa ke madhya vIra vikrama kA devadamanI ke sAtha dhUmadhAma se vivAha ho gyaa| lagna-vidhi kA kArya pUrA hone para devI ko namaskAra kara kamalA rAnI devadamanI ko usake AvAsa para le gii| vIra vikrama mitroM aura maMtriyoM ke sAtha eka kakSa meM ge| Aja vivAha ke nimitta vIra vikrama ne vaitAla dampati ko bhI yAda kiyA thaa| vaitAla dampati mAnava rUpa meM vahAM sabhI kriyA-kalApoM meM bhAga le rahA thaa| inake bhojana kI vyavasthA vIra vikrama ke nijI khaMDa meM kI gaI thii| madhyarAtri meM vIra vikrama ne vaitAla dampati ko uttama bhojya-sAmagrI se tRpta kiyA aura kahA, 'mitra! yaha yaza tumhAre hisse meM jAtA hai| tumhArI patnI ne bhI pUrA sahayoga diyA thA....tuma donoM ne mujhe jo sahayoga diyA, vaha bAta Aja taka maiMne apane mana meM hI rakhI thI, kintu Aja mujhe vaha bAta batAnI hI pdd'egii|' vaitAla-patnI bolI-'acchA, naI mahArAnI ko batAnI haina? yaha to hamAre manAha karane para bhI Apa kaheMge hii| prathama rAtri meM puruSa strI ke samakSa makkhana jaisA komala aura mulAyama ho jAtA hai|' 234 vIra vikramAditya

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'ye to tumhAre anubhava ke zabda haiN| kintu vaitAla to Aja bhI utanA hI komala hai| tumako kSaNa bhara ke lie bhI nArAja na karanA usakA vrata hai.... merI bAta nirAlI hai / merA anta:pura sundara patniyoM se bharA par3A hai| aneka bAra maiM yaha bhI bhUla jAtA hUM ki Aja mujhe kisa patnI ke AvAsa para rAta bitAnI hai|' vaitAla dampati haMsa par3e / bhojana se nivRtta hone ke pazcAt agnivaitAla apanI patnI ke sAtha adRzya ho gyaa| vikrama devadamanI ke AvAsa kI ora gae / devadamanI apane priyadarzana svAmI kI pratIkSA meM eka Asana para baiThI thI / do samavayaska paricArikAeM sAmane baiThakara rAjabhavana kI bAteM batA rahI thiiN| aura mahArAja vikramAditya ke Agamana kI AvAja AyI / donoM paricArikAeM khar3I ho gaIM.... kintu devadamanI ne donoM ko baiThane kA saMketa kiyaa| usI samaya vIra vikrama ne devadamanI ke zayanakhaMDa meM praveza kiyaa| donoM paricArikAeM pAyala kI madhura dhvani ke sAtha zayana khaNDa se bAhara calI gayIM / bAhara jAte samaya unhoMne khaNDa kA dvAra banda kara diyA / mahApratihAra ajaya dvAra para do rakSikAoM ko niyukta kara svayaM apane bhavana kI ora calA gayA / devadamanI ke hRdaya meM ananta bAteM aura ananta prazna khalabalI macA rahe the, kintu svAmI ko dekhate hI ve prazna gAyaba ho ge| devadamanI navayauvanA thii| kintu Aja navavadhU ke veza meM usakA rUpa aura yauvana lajjA kI aruNimA ke sAtha sahasra gunA khila uThA thaa| usane nIcI dRSTi kie khar3I hokara svAmI ke kaMTha meM eka sundara puSpamAlA Aropita kara dI / vikrama ne devadamanI ko bAhupAza meM lete hue kahA- 'priye ! zataraMja khelate samaya to tumhAre meM koI saMkoca hI nahIM thA.... ?' devadamanI mauna rahI, svAmI ke vizAla vakSasthala meM mastaka chipAe khar3I rahI / vikrama ne apane donoM hAthoM se usake mastaka ko UMcA kiyA aura cumbana lete hue kahA, 'itanA saMkoca kisalie ?' 'usa din....|' devadamanI Age nahIM bola skii| kintu usake manobhAva ko jAnate hue vikrama ne madhura svara meM kahA, 'usa dina pratispardhinI thI... aura Aja parAjita.... / ' vIra vikramAditya 235

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'nahIM, aisA bhAva nahIM hai / ' 'to phira itanA saMkoca ?' 'jIvana ke sahavAsa kI pahalI rAta hai isalie / ' 'oha priye ! lajjA kA koI kAraNa nahIM hai - calo, hama ArAma se baittheN|' donoM svarNajaTita palaMga para baitthe| vikrama ne devadamanI se kahA, 'priye ! jaba pahale dina maiMne tumako dekhA thA, usa kSaNa se hI merA mana tumhAre prati AkarSita ho gayA thaa| Aja maiM prasanna hUM ki mujhe eka guNavatI patnI prApta huI hai|' phira vikrama ne sikottara parvata para pahuMcane Adi kI sArI bAta use atha se iti taka batA dii| pUrI bAta sunakara devadamanI svAmI se lipaTakara bolI- 'Apa bar3e khilAr3I haiM / ' 'tumhAre kajarAre nayanoM ne mujhe khilAr3I banA DAlA thaa| aba tumheM mujhe paMcadaMDa vAle chatra kI bAta batAnI hogI / ' 'hAM, svAmI! kala merI mAM Apase milane AegI aura Apako usakA vivaraNa degii| kintu vaha chatra chinna-bhinna ho cukA hai ... usakI sArI sAmagrI prApta karanA atyanta duSkara kArya hai / ' 'priye! devatAoM kA damana karane vAlI aura indra ko prasanna karane vAlI tumhAre jaisI sundarI, jo mere lie svapna jaisI hI thI, usako maiM prApta kara cukA hUM, to paMcadaMDa vAle chatra ko prApta karanA mere lie kaThina nahIM ho sktaa| na jAne merA mana kisa dhAtu se banA hai ki maiM azakya ko zakya karane meM adhika rasa letA huuN|' 'mujhe vizvAsa hai ki Apa avazya hI saphala hoNge|' devadamanI ne prema-bhare svaroM meM kahA / 'tumhAre vizvAsa - bala ke AdhAra para maiM sAhasa kruuNgaa| merA mitra agnivaitAla mujhe paga-paga para sahAyatA degaa|' yaha kahakara vikrama ne priyA ko bAhupAza meM jakar3a liyA / devadamanI apane priyatama ke tejasvI vadana kI ora dekhane lagI / aura... / ' zayyA meM biche hue puSpa madhura hAsya bikherate-bikherate zrIhIna ho ge| yauvana kA Aja abhinandana huA thaa| motiyoM kI mAlA TUTa gaI aura eka-eka motI dharatI para bikharakara haMsane lagA / dUsare dina madhyAhna ke pazcAt nAgadamanI apanI putrI devadamanI se milane AyI / kanyA ne apane mana kI prasannatA vyakta kI / phira vaha vIra vikrama ke / pAsa gii| 236 vIra vikramAditya

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vIra vikrama ne nAgadamanI kA ucita satkAra kiyA aura usako apane ekAMta khaNDa meM le ge| nAgadamanI bolI- 'mahArAja! merI putrI nirmala aura pavitra hai| Apa isakI pUrI sAra-saMbhAla krnaa|' 'devI! yaha tumhArI kanyA hai, para merI dharmapatnI hai, ardhAginI hai| maiM apane kartavya ko jAnatA huuN| tuma nizcinta rho| aba tuma mujhe paMcadaMDa chatra kI jAnakArI do|' _ 'hAM, mahArAja! isIlie maiM AyI huuN| kintu isase pUrva maiM eka prazna pUcha letI huuN|' 'avazya!' 'mahArAja! paMcadaMDa chatra kI bAta mAtra jAnanI hai yA use prApta bhI karanA hai?' 'vaha chatra mujhe prApta karanA hai|' 'mahArAja! kArya bahuta kaThina hai| saMbhava hai jIvana ko khatare meM DAlanA par3e aura ghora vipatti kA sAmanA karanA pdd'e|' 'devI! vipatti ke sAtha khelane meM hI saccI mardAnagI hai| merA svabhAva sAhasika hai aura mujhe kabhI mauta kA bhaya nahIM staataa|' 'Apake sAhasa se maiM paricita huuN| merI putrI ko harAne ke lie Apane kitanA khatarA uThAyA, yaha bAta Aja subaha mujhe devadamanI ne batAI thii|' nAgadamanI bolii| vikrama haMsa pdd'e| nAgadamanI ne batAnA prArambha kiyA- 'rAjarAjezvara! paMcadaMDa vAle chatra kA nirmANa kubera ne karavAyA thaa| eka bAra usane isa chatra ko eka vidyAdhara rAjA ko upahAra-svarUpa diyaa| aneka varSa vyatIta hone ke pazcAt yaha chatra mRtyuloka meM AyA aura duryodhana use prApta kare, usase pUrva hI yaha chatra dasyuoM ke hAtha laga gyaa| usake jhAlara meM lage ratna alaga kara die gae aura pAMcoM daMDoM ko bikhera diyA gyaa| Aja ve pAMcoM daMDa bhinna-bhinna sthAnoM para haiM.....jhAlara kA ratnasamUha vaise hI par3A hai| yadi yaha divya chatra prApta karanA ho to maiM jaise kahUM, vaise hI Apako karanA hogaa|' 'tuma jaisA kahogI, vaisA hI kruuNgaa|' vikrama ne saharSa khaa| 'yahAM se lagabhaga ATha sau kosa kI dUrI para tAmralipti nAma kI eka nagarI hai| vaha atyanta svaccha aura manohArI hai| vahAM kA rAjA hai cndrbhuup| usakI kanyA kA nAma hai lkssmiivtii| vaha rAjabhavana kI sAtavIM maMjila meM rahatI hai| usake pAsa vIra vikramAditya 237

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eka ratna-peTikA hai| usa ratna-peTikA ko Apa pahale prApta kareM....phira Age kyA karanA hai, vaha maiM Apako btaauuNgii|' nAgadamanI ne khaa| mahArAjA vikramAditya ne ullAsa-bhare svaroM meM kahA, 'devI! vaha ratnapeTikA maiM avazya hI prApta kara luuNgaa| tAmralipti kA nAma to maiMne bhI sunA hai| vahAM maiM avazya jaauuNgaa|' ___ nAgadamanI bolI, 'mahArAja! ApakI manokAmanA avazya hI pUrI hogii| jaba paMcadaMDa kI sArI sAmagrI upalabdha ho jAegI, taba svayaM maiM usa chatra kA nirmANakArya Apako sauNpuuNgii|' vikrama ne prasanna hRdaya se nAgadamanI kA abhivAdana kiyaa| nAgadamanI vahAM se vidA huii| tAmralipti kaise pahuMcA jAe, yaha prazna vikramAditya ke hRdaya meM ghulane lgaa| 47. tAmralipti kI sImA meM rAtri ke dUsare prahara kI do ghaTikAeM bIta jAne para vIra vikrama devadamanI ke AvAsa meM ge| Aja vivAha kI pAMcavIM rAta thii| vIra vikrama prAya: pAMca rAtriyAM nayI rAnI ke sAtha bitAte the aura phira rAniyoM ke krama se unake pAsa jAte the...kiMtu dina ko ve rAnI kamalA aura kalA ke pAsa hI bitAte the| ye donoM rAniyAM unheM bahuta priya thiiN| devadamanI ne puSpamAlA arpita kara apane svAmI kA svAgata kiyaa| vikrama ne devadamanI se kahA-'priye ! kala prAta:kAla tuma bhI kamalA ke pAsa aanaa| eka mahattvapUrNa viSaya para carcA karanI hai|' 'aisI kyA bAta hai?' 'tumhArI mAM ke sAtha jo bAta huI thI, vaha to maiMne tumako batA dI hai|' 'hAM.....kyA Apa tAmralipti jAnA cAhate haiM?' vikrama ne haMsakara kahA- 'hAM, priye ! sAhasa ko yauvana priya hotA hai aura yauvana ko sAhasa priya hotA hai|' 'kintu vaha nagarI to bahuta dUra hai|' 'maiM jAnatA hUM, kintu vahAM pahuMcane kA upAya maiMne DhUMDha liyA hai| tuma apanI maMtrazakti dvArA vRkSa ko tAmralipti pahuMcA denaa|' haMsakara vIra vikrama ne khaa| devadamanI ne svAmI ke donoM caraNa pakar3akara kahA-'mahArAja! Apake caraNoM kI dAsI banane kA saubhAgya prApta karane ke pazcAt maiMne apanI sArI siddhiyoM ko tilAMjali de DAlI hai|' 238 vIra vikramAditya

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'kyoM, priye?' 'maiM ApakI dharmapatnI huuN| yahI mere jIvana kI saphala siddhi hai| yadi nArI ko apane prANAdhAra ke prati samarpita honA ho, to use nArI ke sAmAnya gaurava ko mahAn ginanA caahie| maMtra, taMtra aura vibhinna sAdhanAeM kabhI-kabhI aniSTa ghaTita kara detI haiN| kabhI-kabhI mAnava amAnava bana jAtA hai| maiM apane gaurava ko vizuddha rakhanA cAhatI hUM, isIlie maiMne apanI sArI sAdhanAoM se muMha mor3a liyA hai|' 'oha priye! mujhe kSamA karanA.....vAstava meM tumane mahAn tyAga kiyA hai|' 'merI parAjaya kA pariNAma to AnA hI caahie|' devadamanI ne khaa| vIra vikrama ne priyA ko bAhupAza meM jakar3ate hue kahA, 'priye! bahuta bAra vijaya se bhI parAjaya meM adhika tRpti aura Ananda milatA hai| bahuta bAra vijaya manuSya ko tor3a detI hai aura aneka bAra parAjaya bhI viSarUpa bana jAtI hai| kintu tumhArI parAjaya meM eka vijayI nArI kA gaurava guMthA huA hai| tuma jaise merI dAsI banI ho, vaise hI maiM vijita hokara bhI tumhArA kiMkara bana gayA huuN|' bIca meM hI devadamanI bola uThI, 'aisA kahakara Apa mujhe naraka meM na ddhkeleN| Apa mere isa loka aura paraloka ke sarvasva haiN|' vikrama ne devadamanI ko donoM hAthoM para uThA liyaa| aura....? dUsare dina snAna Adi se nivRtta hokara vikrama kamalA rAnI ke khaNDa meM Ae, taba kalAvatI aura devadamanI vahIM baiThI thiiN| tInoM patniyoM ne uThakara svAmI kA abhivAdana kiyaa| prAtarAza A cukA thaa| prAtarAza karate-karate vikrama ne paMcadaMDa chatra kI carcA kI aura yaha bhI kahA ki kala vetAmralipti kI ora prasthAna karanA cAhate haiN| kamalA rAnI bolI, 'tAmralipti bahuta dUra hai|' 'isakI mujhe cintA nahIM hai....merA mitra kucha hI kSaNoM meM mujhe vahAM pahuMcA degaa|' kalAvatI bolI-'mahArAja! Apake kisa bAta kI nyUnatA hai, jo Apa ratnoM ke lie itanA khatarA uThA rahe haiM?' "priye! mujhe ratna-prApti kI lAlasA nahIM hai, yaha bAta tuma saba jAnatI ho| parantu kyA karUM? mere mana meM jo bAta jama jAtI hai, usako pUrA kie binA caina nahIM miltaa|' tInoM rAniyoM ne apanI-apanI bhAvanAeM rakhIM aura apane svAmI kI saphalatA ke lie maMgala-kAmanA vyakta kii| vIra vikramAditya 236

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vikrama ne tInoM rAniyoM kA AliMgana kiyA aura ve vahAM se rAjasabhA kI ora cala pdd'e| rAjasabhA kA kArya sampanna kara unhoMne mahAmaMtrI, mahAbalAdhikRta, nagaraseTha aura anya maMtriyoM ko rAta ke samaya rAjabhavana meM Ane ko khaa| rAtri ke prathama prahara ke pazcAt sabhI maMtrI, balAdhikRta, nagaraseTha Adi A ge| vikrama ne sabake samakSa paMcadaMDa vAle chatra kI carcA kI aura tAmralipti jAne kI icchA btaaii| vikrama ne yaha bhI spaSTa kahA ki ve akele hI jaaeNge| koI sAtha nahIM raha skegaa| mahArAja kA yaha nirNaya sunakara saba avAka raha ge| aisA sAhasa akele mahArAja kareM, yaha ucita nahIM lgaa| sabane apane-apane tarka rakhe aura aise kArya meM saMlagna na hone kI prArthanA kii| vIra vikrama apane nizcaya para aTala the| ve bole, 'maiM sabhI kI bAteM samajhatA huuN| Apa saba jAnate haiM ki maiM eka sAhasa-priya kSatriya huuN| mere rakta ke kaNa-kaNa meM kSatriyatva bharA par3A hai| isalie mujhe kisI prakAra kA bhaya nahIM lgtaa| Apa mere utsAha ko bar3hAeMge to merA puruSArtha avazya hI saphala hogaa|' sabhI mahArAja vikramAditya kI tejasvI AMkhoM ko dekhane lge| sabhI ne unheM puruSArtha karane kI preraNA dI aura apane priya rAjarAjezvara ko namana kara sabhI apane-apane bhavana kI ora cale ge| dUsare dina madhya rAtri ke pazcAt vIra vikrama apane nijI kakSa meM ge| vahAM unhoMne apane mitra agnivaitAla ke lie uttama miSThAnna Adi aneka vastuoM se thAla bharakara rakhavA diye the| saba kucha vahAM ucita hai, aisA vizvAsa ho jAne para unhoMne agnivaitAla ko yAda kiyaa| lagabhaga ardhaghaTikA ke pazcAt agnivaitAla apanI priyA ke sAtha vahAM A phuNcaa| . vikrama ne donoM kA Adara-satkAra kiyA aura donoM ko bhojana karane kI prArthanA kii| donoM ne prasanna mana se bhojana kiyaa| phira donoM ne kesara-kastUrI-yukta dUdha piyaa| agnivaitAla ne phira pUchA, 'mahArAja ! kyA AjJA hai ?' vikrama bole-'mitra! mujhe tAmralipti nagarI meM jAnA hai|' 'itanI dUra? vahAM kA koI kAma ho to maiM kara AUM?' 'nahIM, aisA nahIM....kArya to mujhe hI karanA hogaa|' 'aisA kauna-sA kArya hai, mahArAja! kyA koI sundarI nArI kA nimaMtraNa hai?' vaitAla-patnI ne haMsate-haMsate prazna kiyaa| 240 vIra vikramAditya

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1 kttaa| vikrama bhI haMsate hue bole, 'aisA koI kAma nahIM hai, kintu mere grahayoga aise haiM ki jahAM jAtA hUM, vahAM koI-na-koI sundarI mila hI jAtI hai|' 'vahAM phira kyoM jAnA hai?' vaitAla ne puuchaa| 'tumhArI sahAyatA se mujhe devadamanI prApta huI....aba tAmralipti ke rAjA candrabhUpa kI lakSmIvatI nAma kI solaha varSIya putrI hai| usake pAsa ratnoM kI eka peTikA hai| use mujhe lAnA hai|' vikrama ne khaa| ___ 'taba to sundarI-ratna ke sAtha hI ratna-peTikA aayegii|' vaitAla-patnI ne khaa| 'lakSmIvatI sundarI-ratna hai yA nahIM, maiM nahIM jAnatA aura merI koI vaisI icchA bhI nahIM hai|' vikrama ne khaa| 'icchA to nahIM....kintu saMzaya to hai hI?' vaitAla-patnI ne cuTakI lete hue khaa| 'vicitra grahayoga ko maiM kaise TAla sakatA hUM?' vaitAla bolA- 'kaba calanA hai, mahArAja?' 'maiM taiyAra huuN|' kahakara vikrama khar3e hue aura eka bAjoTa para par3I jholI uThA lii| khUTI para laTakatI talavAra kamara meM bAMdha lii| vaitAla bolA, 'basa, itanA hI sAmAna?' 'basa, mitra! do jor3I vastra, adRzyakaraNa guTikA aura kucha svarNa sAtha meM liyA hai|' vaitAla dampati bhI utthe| vaitAla-patnI bolI, 'mahArAja! yadi Apa cAheMge, to hama donoM Apake sAtha vahIM ruke rheNge|' 'nahIM, maiM isa prakAra tumako vyathita karanA nahIM caahtaa| AvazyakatA hogI to maiM kabhI bhI tumheM yAda kara luuNgaa|' vikrama ne sahaja-bhAva se khaa| ___ thor3e hI kSaNoM pazcAt agnivaitAla apanI patnI aura vIra vikrama ko lekara AkAzamArga se ur3a claa| sUryodaya se pUrva hI vaitAla ne vIra vikrama ko tAmralipti nagarI ke parisara meM utArate hue kahA, 'mahArAja! jo sAmane dikhAI de rahI hai, vahI hai tAmralipti ngrii| yahAM se vaha kevala eka kosa kI dUrI para hai-yahAM jalAzaya sundara hai, isIlie maiMne Apako yahAM utArA hai...Apa kaheM to Apako nagarI meM...' 'nahIM, mitra! tumhArA AbhArI huuN| aba maiM yahAM nizcinta hokara prAta:kArya sampanna kara nagarI meM calA jaauuNgaa|' tatkAla vaitAla dampati adRzya ho gyaa| vIra vikramAditya 241

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vikrama ne jalAzaya kI ora dekhA, svaccha sphaTika-sA jl| Asa-pAsa kA vAtAvaraNa zItala aura lubhaavnaa| unakA mana nIMda lene ko huA, kyoMki sAta dina taka ve pUrI nIMda kabhI nahIM le pAye the| ve thailI ko sirahAne rakhakara nidrAdevI kI goda meM cale ge| jaba ve jAgRta hue, taba divasa kA pahalA prahara bItane vAlA thaa| vikrama tatkAla khar3e hue| unhoMne socA- 'oha! itanA dina car3ha gayA....vAtAvaraNa atyanta sundara aura madhura hai....sthAna zramApahArI hai| yaha socakara vikrama prAta:kArya Adi se nivRtta hue| vIra vikrama apanA sAmAna lekara tAmralipti nagarI kI ora cala pdd'e| 48. vikrama kI udAratA tAmralipti nagarI kI gaganacumbI aTTAlikAeM spaSTa dIkhane lgiiN| unheM dekhakara vikrama ne socA-kyA sabhI aTTAlikAeM abhI-abhI nirmita huI haiM? kyA samUcI nagarI kA navanirmANa huA hai? yaha nagarI to bahuta prAcIna hai| prAcIna kathAoM meM bhI isakA ullekha AtA hai| itanI svaccha aura nirmala aTTAlikAeM! vikrama Azcarya se bhara ge| ina vicAroM meM ulajhe hue vikrama nagarI kI ora jA rahe the| nagarI se kucha dUra eka nadI aayii| are, yaha kyA? nadI ke usa tIra para hajAroM nara-nArI kyA kara rahe haiM ? kyA koI utsava hai ? cAroM ora dhuAM uTha rahA thA, mAno ki sthAnasthAna para rasoI bana rahI ho| kyA kisI sArthavAha kA par3Ava hai ? are! par3Ava to itanA vizAla nahIM ho sktaa| dekhU, vahAM kyA ho rahA hai| kintu vahAM pahuMcUM kaise?vikrama soca rahe the| _ vikrama usa kinAre kI ora Age bddh'e| thor3I dUra para eka ghATa aayaa| vahAM eka naukA meM baiThakara ve usa kinAre phNce| naukA kA bhAr3A thA mAtra eka kprdikaa| kintu vikrama ke pAsa kevala svarNaaura raupya mudrAeM thiiN| unhoMne eka raupya mudrA nAvika ko dii| nAvika vikrama kI ora vismaya se dekhane lgaa| ___ naukA se utarakara vikrama Age cle| thor3I dUrI para eka vRddha puruSa milaa| vikrama ne use namaskAra kara kahA- 'bhAI! yahAM itane puruSa ekatrita hokara kyA kara rahe haiM?' 'Apa koI paradezI lagate haiM, ye strI-puruSa isI nagarI ke haiN|' 'taba kyA koI utsava hai?' 'nahIM, hamAre yahAM roja aisA utsava hotA rahatA hai| hamAre mahArAjA ne abhI tIna varSa pUrva hI nagarI kA navanirmANa karAyA hai| nagarI kA koI bhI makAna rasoI ke 242 vIra vikramAditya

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dhueM se kAlA na ho jAe, isalie nagarI ke sabhI prajAjana yahAM ekatrita hote haiM aura rasoI banAkara bhojana karate haiN|' 'vAha! to kyA rAjabhavana meM bhI rasoI nahIM hotI?' 'nahIM, rAjA kA rasoIghara bhI yahIM nadI ke kinAre hai| yahAM se bhojana taiyAra hokara rAjabhavana meM pahuMcatA hai| aneka seTha-sAhUkAroM kA bhojana bhI nadI ke kinAre Aye hue pRthak-pRthak makAnoM meM banatA hai aura una-unake makAna meM pahuMca jAtA hai| Apa kahAM ke nivAsI haiM ?' 'maiM yahAM se bahuta dUra mAlavadeza meM rahatA huuN|' 'mAlavadeza ? hAM...hAM... mahArAja bhartRhari kA rAjya ?' 'haaN| mujhe isa nagarI meM vizrAma lenA hai| to kyA pAMthazAlA yA anya koI sthAna prApta ho jAegA? ___'hamAre nagara kI pAMthazAlAeM atyanta sundara aura ramaNIya haiN| kintu vahAM bhojana kA prabandha nahIM hai| isalie Apa nagarI ke bAhara ke upavana meM ArAmikA meM tthhreN| vahAM Apako suvidhA rhegii| vahAM pratidina Apako dasa kapardikAeM denI hoNgii|' vRddha ne khaa| vikrama ne pUchA- 'bhojana ke lie vahAM kyA vyavasthA hai?' 'sabako nagarI ke bAhara jAnA par3atA hai| dekheM, sAmane lAla raMga kA taMbU dikhAI detA hai| vahAM pAMca kapardikA meM uttama bhojana sAmagrI milatI hai aura jo pIlA taMbU hai, vahAM bhojana kA kucha bhI mUlya nahIM liyA jaataa| eka rAjA kI ora se aura dUsarA nagaraseTha kI ora se cala rahA hai|' vikrama namaskAra kara Age bddh'e| bhUkha lagI huI thii| madhyAhna kA samaya ho rahA thaa| ve lAla taMbU ke pAsa ge| bhItara do sau manuSya bhojana kara rahe the| vahAM ke eka sevaka ne vikrama ko AdarapUrvaka bitthaayaa| __ bhojana-kArya sampanna kara vikrama nagarI ke eka upavana meM aae| upavana ke rakSaka ne vikrama kA satkAra kiyaa| vikrama ne kahA- 'maiM yahAM kucha dina rahanA cAhatA huuN|' rakSaka ne unake lie eka kuTIra kI vyavasthA kara dii| vikrama kI dRSTi upavana ke eka vRkSa para pdd'ii| vRkSa ke nIce eka tejasvI UMTa khar3A thaa| vikrama ne usa rakSaka se pUchA- 'yaha UMTa tumhArA hai?' __ 'nahIM, zrImAn ! yaha UMTa kisI videzI atithi kA hai| ve mujhe dasa kapardikA ke badale pratidina pacAsa kapardikAeM dete haiN|' vikrama ne raupya mudrA nikAlakara usake hAtha meM dete hue kahA-'isake vinimaya meM kitanI kapardikAeM mila sakatI haiM ?' vIra vikramAditya 243

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'mahArAja ! yaha mudrA videzI hai| isake vinimaya meM kama-se-kama eka hajAra kapardikAeM avazya mileMgI / ' 'ise tuma rkho| maiM tumheM pratidina eka raupya mudrA duuNgaa| tuma mere bhojana Adi kI samucita vyavasthA kara denA / ' mAlI atyanta praphullita ho gyaa| pratidina eka raupya mudrA ! eka hajAra kapardikAeM! usane mana-hI-mana socA - yaha atithi zrImAn hai / kintu isake pAsa koI vizeSa sAmAna kyoM nahIM hai ? mAlI ko Azcaryamugdha dekhakara vikrama bole- 'mujhe nagarI meM jAnA hai| maiM sAMjha ko lauttuuNgaa| tuma mujhe mArga to batAoge na ?' 'hAM, seThajI! kintu yadi Apako abhI jAnA ho to merA eka atithi yuvaka taiyAra ho rahA hai| thor3A ThahareM, maiM use yahIM bulAkara le AtA huuN|' mAlI uttara kI pratIkSA kie binA hI prasanna hRdaya se usa yuvaka ke pAsa pahuMca gyaa| vikrama vahAM eka khATa para baiTha ge| unhoMne socA, kahAM avaMtI nagarI aura kahAM tAmralipti ! kahAM merA vaibhavazAlI rAjabhavana aura kahAM yaha ghAsaphUsa kI kuTIra ! bhAgyacakra kI gati atyanta vicitra aura rahasyamayI hotI hai| itane meM hI vaha mAlI daur3atA huA AyA aura bolA- 'seThajI ! padhAro / mere atithi kA UMTa -cAlaka nagarI kI ora jA rahA hai|' tatkAla vikrama uThe aura apanA thailA lekara bAhara nikala ge| pacIsa varSa kA eka yuvaka vRkSa ke nIce khar3A thaa| vaha kRSNa varNa kA thaa| usake vastra dAsa jaise the| usakA zarIra dRr3ha aura sugaThita thaa| vikrama ne usake cehare kI ora dekhaa| unheM lagA ki yaha yuvaka vAcAla honA caahie| donoM upavana se bAhara nikle| vikrama ne pUchA- 'mitra ! tuma kahAM rahate ho ?' 'seThajI ! maiM eka dAsa huuN| Apa mujhe mitra ......' bIca meM hI vikrama ne usake kaMdhe para hAtha rakhate hue kahA - 'dAsa bhI mitra bana sakatA hai / ' 'Aja maiM dhanya ho gayA, seThajI ! maiM cakradharapura rAjya kA nivAsI hUM aura cakrapura ke rAjakumAra bhImakumAra kA mukhya UMTacAlaka huuN|' 'cakrapura rAjya ? yaha kahAM hai ?' 'yahA saM do sau kosa kI dUrI para hai| seThajI ! Apa kahAM ke nivAsI haiM ?' 'maiM mAlavadeza kA nivAsI hUM, yAtrA ke lie nikalA huuN| Aja yahAM A pahuMcA huuN| tuma bhI yAtrA ke lie hI to nikale ho, kyoM ?' 'are seThajI! mere bhAgya meM yAtrA kahAM ? maiM apane rAjakumAra ke sAtha AyA huuN|' 244 vIra vikramAditya

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'Azcarya! tumhAre rAjakumAra rAjA ke atithi baneM aura tumheM isa ghAsaphUla kI jhopar3I meM rkheN|' _ 'seThajI! Apa yahAM se bilkula anajAna haiM / cakrapura ke rAjA aura yahAM ke rAjA kI janmajAta zatrutA hai| yadiinheM yaha jJAta ho jAe ki cakrapura ke rAjakumAra yahAM Ae hue haiM to hama donoM ke sira dhar3a se alaga karavA deN| rAjakumAra bhI yahIM jhoMpar3I meM Thahare hue haiN|' 'are, tumhAre rAjakumAra to bahuta sAhasika haiM?' 'nahIM, seThajI! aisI bAta nahIM hai| yahAM abhI eka avasara prApta huA hai ki candrabhUpa kI nAka kaTa jAe, isalie hama yahAM Ae haiN|' dAsa bolaa| nagarI kA toraNadvAra A gayA thaa| loga A-jA rahe the| vikrama ne kahA'mitra! tuma isa nagarI meM pahale kabhI Ae the?' . 'jI hAM, prAta: maiM mukhavAsa lene AyA thaa|' 'acchA, to hama mukhavAsa vAle kI dUkAna para cleN|' donoM toraNadvAra meM praviSTa hue| nagara svaccha aura sundara thii| makAna ujjvala aura ramaNIya the| sar3akeM bhI patthara kI banI huI thii| bAjAra bar3A thaa| __ve donoM calate-calate eka panavAr3I kI dUkAna para aae| dukAnadAra ne pUchA-'kyA cAhie?' vikrama ne kahA- 'uttama dravya se yukta do paan'| 'vaisA pAna do kapardikAoM meM milegaa|' 'usase bhI uttama pAna hai?' 'hAM, sone ke varaka vAlA pAna dasa kapardikAoM meM milegaa|' 'do pAna do|' vikrama bolaa| kucha hI kSaNoM meM taiyAra kara panavAr3I ne do pAna vikrama ke hAthoM meM sauMpa die| vikrama ne eka raupya mudrA nikAlakara panavAr3I ko de dii| panavAr3I vikrama kI ora dekhatA rhaa| phira bolA- 'bhAI! yaha paradezI sikkA hai?' 'hAM, maiM eka paradezI huuN|' 'kintu isa sikke kA mUlya mujhe jJAta nahIM hai|' pAnavAle ne khaa| 'koI bAta nahIM hai| tumhArepAna uttama haiN| tuma isa mudrA ko rakha lo|' kahakara vikrama dAsa kA hAtha pakar3akara calate bne| dAsa bolA- 'seThajI! Apane bahuta udAratA dikhaaii| Apane nau sau assI mudrikAeM gaMvA diiN|' vIra vikramAditya 245

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'usakA bhAgya!' kahakara vikrama haMsane lge| donoM bAta karate-karate mukhya bAjAra meM A ge| ve eka javAharAta kI dukAna para aae| jauharI ko eka svarNamudrA dete hue vikrama ne kahA-'seThajI! maiM paradezI huuN| isa svarNamudrA ke badale Apa mujhe yahAM kI mudrAeM deN| mujhe sugamatA hogii|' jauharI ne svarNamudrA kA parIkSaNa kiyA aura usake vinimaya meM vikrama ke hAtha meM eka thailI thamA dI, jisameM raupya aura tAmra mudrAeM bharI thiiN| vikrama ne thailI le lii| donoM Age bddh'e| dAsa ne kahA- 'seThajI, Apane bahuta jaldabAjI kii|' 'kyoM? kaise?' 'Apako do-cAra dUkAnoM para pUchatAcha karanI cAhie thii| usa jauharI ne Apako vinimaya meM kitanI mudrAeM dI haiM, unako bhI Apane nahIM ginA?' "mitra ! dhana to hAtha kA maila hai| isa para mamatA nahIM rakhanI caahie| bolo, aba kisa ora calanA hai?' 'yahAM se kucha dUra para eka pAnAgAra hai| mere svAmI ko maireya pIne kI Adata hai| eka bhAMDa lekara lauTa AtA huuN| kyA Apa bhI maireya-pAna kareMge?' dAsa ne puuchaa| 'nahIM, mitra! maiM yAtrA ke lie ghara se nikalA hUM, isalie nazA nahIM kara sktaa| tumhArI icchA ho to tuma bhI pI lenaa|' 'maiM kaise pI sakatA hUM! mere svAmI ne utane hI paise die haiM, jinase maiM kevala eka madirA bhAMDa hI kharIda sakatA huuN|' dAsa bolaa| 'are mitra! paise kI cintA kyoM karate ho? calo pAnAgAra meN|' donoM pAnAgAra kI ora cle| pAnAgAra meM bhIr3a nahIM thii| dAsa ne maireya kA eka bhAMDa khriidaa| vikrama ne pAnAgAra ke mAlika se pUchA 'uttama prakAra kA maireya hai yA nahIM?' 'hai, shriimaan| pAMca tAsamudrAoM kA eka pAtra / ' 'usase mUlyavAn ?' 'dasa tAmamudrA kA eka pAtra / ' 'do pAtra do|' vikrama ne AjJA dii| thor3e hI samaya meM eka sevaka uttama maireya ke do pyAle le aayaa| donoM pyAle vikrama ne apane UMTacAlaka mitra ko pilA die| phira donoM ne eka panavAr3I kI dUkAna se do pAna lie aura unheM muMha meM cabAte hue ArAmikA kI ora cala pdd'e| vikrama ne pUchA-'mitra! hamane abhI rAjabhavana to dekhA hI nahIM ?' 246 vIra vikramAditya

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'maiMne bhI nahIM dekhA hai....yadi Apako dekhanA ho to hama pUchate-pUchate udhara se nikala jaaeNge|' 'Ae haiM to dekhate hI cleN| kala se maiM maMdiroM ko dekhane ke lie nikala paDUMgA....tuma bhI mere sAtha clnaa|' 'seThajI! mere bhAgya meM devadarzana kahAM? Aja AdhI rAta ke pazcAt hameM yahAM se lauTa jAnA hai|' 'zatru kI nAka kATe binA hI?' 'nahIM, nAka kATakara hI....gAMva ke bAhara nikalakara pUrI bAta btaauuNgaa|' dAsa ne khaa| vaha maireya ke raMga meM raMga cukA thaa| do-cAra nAgarikoM ko pUchakara donoM rAjabhavana ke pAsa phuNce| rAjabhavana atyanta bhavya aura sAptabhauma thaa| vikrama ko rAjabhavana kA rAstA jJAta karanA thA.....rAjabhavana kA nakzA mana meM aMkita kara vikrama bole- 'mitra! rAjabhavana ati manohara hai| calo, sAMjha hone vAlI hai| jaldI cleN|' donoM nagarI ke bAhara aae| ___ calate-calate dAsa ne kahA- 'seThajI! yahAM ke rAjA kI kanyA lakSmIvatI bahuta sundara hai| vaha solaha varSa kI hai aura rAjA usake vivAha kI niraMtara cintA lie baiThA hai| rAjA ne vara ke cunAva ke lie Asa-pAsa ke lagabhaga sau rAjAoM, rAjakumAroM ke citrAMkana maMgAe the| parihAsa karane ke lie hamAre rAjA ne bhI apane eka rAjakumAra kI chavi bhejI thii| sabhI citrAMkanoM ko dekhane ke pazcAt rAjakumArI ne hamAre rAjakumAra kI chavipasanda kI thii| kintu chavi ke pIche jo paricaya likhA huA thA, use dekhakara rAjA ne apanI priya putrI se nirNaya badalane ke lie kahA....kintu rAjakumArI apane nirNaya para aTala rahI aura usane gupta rUpa se eka dUta bhejakara hamAre rAjakumAra bhImakumAra ko yaha saMdeza bhejA ki ve yahAM Akara usakA apaharaNa kara le jAeM....isa kArya ke lie Aja rAtri nizcita huI aura hama kala yahAM A phuNce| Aja rAta ko rAjakumArI lakSmIvatI kA apaharaNa kara hama cale jaaeNge| eka bAta aura hai ki hamAre rAjakumAra kI chavi utanI ThIka nahIM hai, jitanI citra meM aMkita hai|' vikrama ne mana-hI-mana socA-merA bhAgya anukUla hai, anyathA Aja rAtri ko lakSmIvatI calI jAtI aura usakI ratnapeTikA kA koI atA-patA nahIM rhtaa| aba bhImakumAra usakA apaharaNa kare, usase pahale hI mujhe ratnapeTikA prApta kara lenI caahie| vIra vikramAditya 247

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kucha dUra calane ke pazcAt upavana dikhAI diyaa| vikrama bole- 'mitra ! taba to tumhArI mitratA kevala madhya rAtri taka hI hai| maiM to AzA karatA thA ki kala pUrA dina tumhArA sAtha milegA, parantu kyA ho ? tumhArA kArya hI aisA hai ki tumheM jAnA hI par3egA / ' 'seThajI! ApakA paricaya to kevala do ghaTikA kA hI hai, kintu maiM ise jIvana-bhara nahIM bhUla sakUMgA.... ApakA zubha nAma ?' 'vikramazI seTha !' tumhArA nAma ? 'zyAma / ' 'zyAma, maiM bhI tumheM nahIM bhUlUMgA... mitra ! maiM tumheM yAdagAra meM eka vastu detA huuN|' kahakara vikrama ne apanI jholI se eka svarNamudrA nikAlakara usake hAtha meM rkhii| zyAma bolA- 'seThajI ! yaha to adhika hai|' 'are! kyA maiMne tumheM nahIM kahA thA ki dhana hAtha kA maila hai| tuma ise rakha lo|' zyAma atyanta Anandita ho utthaa| yadi usake hAtha meM maireya pAtra nahIM hotA to vaha vikrama ke caraNoM meM jhuka jAtA / donoM upavana kI sImA meM pahuMce / vikrama ko Aja anAyAsa hI mahattvapUrNa sUcanA mila gaI thii| yadi yaha sUcanA nahIM milatI to unako khAlI hAtha nirAza lauTanA pdd'taa| paMcadaMDa chatra kA svapna TUTa jAtA / donoM apane-apane kuTIra meM ge| mAlI ne uttama bhojana kI vyavasthA kara rakhI thI / mAlI ne bhojana kA thAla lekara vikrama ke sAmane rakhate hue kahA- 'Apa vilamba se padhAre ?' 'hAM, kucha vilamba ho gayA / are, tuma yahAM kauna-kauna rahate ho ?' mAlI bolA- 'maiM, merI patnI, mere mAtA- -pitA, do bahaneM aura mere do bacce !' 'kyA ATha prANiyoM kI AjIvikA isa upavana kI Aya se cala jAtI hai?' 'hAM, seThajI ! atithi to kabhI-kabhI Ate haiM kintu hama phUloM ke gajare, mAlAeM, paMkhe Adi banAkara jyoM-tyoM AjIvikA calA lete haiN|' vikrama ne sthAnIya sikkoM kI vaha thailI nikAlI aura mAlI ke hAtha meM dete hue kahA - 'lo merI smRti meM .. mAlI prasanna ho gyaa| vikrama bhojana karane baiThe / 248 vIra vikramAditya

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46. vikrama kA nirNaya candrabhUpa eka samRddha aura zaktizAlI rAjA thA.....usakI senA bhI pUrNa rUpa se prazikSita aura ajor3a ginI jAtI thii| Asa-pAsa ke rAjyoM ke koI bhI rAjA usase zatrutA karanA nahIM cAhate the| ve saba usakI mitratA kI AkAMkSA karate the| aneka rAjya usake prabhAva meM the| kintu rAjakumAra bhIma kA pitA candrabhUpa se zatrutA rakhatA thaa| apane hRdaya meM palane vAle vaira-bhAva ko vaha yuddha-sthala meM zAnta karane ke lie kabhI samarthanahIM thA, isalie mana-hI-mana vaha akulAhaTa kA anubhava karatA thaa| jaba usako yaha jJAta huA ki candrabhUpa kI kanyA kisI rAjakumAra ke gale meM varamAlA DAlegI, taba usane apane kurUpa putra bhImakumAra kA sundara citrAMkana eka kuzala citrakAra se karavAyA aura use candrabhUpa ke pAsa bheja diyaa| usa citrAMkana meM kurUpatA ke badale surUpatA pradarzita kI gaI thii| usane gupta rUpa se citrAMkana rAjakumArI ke bhavana meM bhI bheja diyA thaa| rAjakumArI lakSmIvatI ne Agata sabhI citrAMkana dekhe, para usake nayana bhImakumAra ke citrAMkana para aTaka ge| usake hRdaya meM aise sudRr3ha aura sundara yuvaka kA sAhacarya prApta karane kI umaMga uThI aura usane bhImakumAra kI chavi pasanda kara lii| rAjA candrabhUpa ne apanI putrI kI pasandagI ko dekhA aura usa citrAMkana ke pIche aMkita paricaya ko pddh'aa| usane putrI se kahA- 'putrI ! yaha apane eka duSTa zatru kA putra hai| yaha chavi kaise AyI?' rAjakumArI ne kahA-'pitAzrI! yaha citrAMkana anyAnya citrAMkanoM ke sAtha hI par3A thA....mujhe to kevala rUpa-guNa kI dRSTi se hI pasanda karanA thA aura yaha chavi mujhe jaMca gii|' ___'koI bAta nahIM, aba tuma kisI anya chavi ko pasanda kara lo| kyoMki eka zatru ke ghara tuma jAo aura vahAM paga-paga para tumhArA apamAna aura tiraskAra hotA rahe, yaha mujhe sahana nahIM ho sktaa|' rAjA ne khaa| kintu lakSmIvatI bhImakumAra ke kRtrima citra para mugdha ho cukI thI aura mana meM aMkita hone vAle prathama citra ko bhulA pAnA sahaja nahIM thA, isalie vaha mauna rhii| pitA ke samakSa kucha nahIM bolii| rAjakumArI lakSmIvatI ne gupta rUpa se eka saMdeza bhImakumAra ko bhejA-'Apa eka nizcita dina yahAM AeM aura merA apaharaNa kara mujhe le jaaeN| maiMne Apako apane bhAvI pati ke rUpa meM pasanda kara liyA hai| apaharaNa karanA kSatriya ke lie vIra vikramAditya 246

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vihita hai, isalie Apa AnAkAnI na kreN| mere pitA merA vivAha Apake sAtha kabhI nahIM kreNge|' becArI lakSmIvatI ! use yaha bAta jJAta nahIM thI ki jisa chavi ko dekhakara vaha mugdha huI hai, bhImakumAra vaisA nahIM hai| yaha to kevala eka cAlAkI hai, jo rAjAoM kI rAjanIti meM vihita hai / jaisA citrAMkana meM aMkita hai, bhImakumAra vaisA nahIM hai| bhImakumAra kI vAstavika chavi aisI hai ki use koI bhI nArI pasanda kara nahIM sktii| bhImakumAra ne bhI saMdeza bheja diyA ki amuka dina vaha veza-parivartana kara vahAM AegA aura usakA apaharaNa kregaa| pUrI yojanA vyavasthita ho cukI thI / yaha yojanA Aja madhyarAtri ke samaya pUrI hone vAlI thii| Aja bhImakumAra gupta veza meM rAjakumArI ke zayana-khaMDa meM jAne vAlA thaa| usane rAjakanyA ke zayanakakSa ke gavAkSa meM eka dIpaka jalAne kA bhI saMketa de diyA thaa| aura ratnapeTikA ko lene ke lie Ae hue vIra vikrama ko zyAma ke dvArA yaha sArI jAnakArI mila cukI thii| vikrama ko kevala ratnapeTikA meM hI rasa thaa| lakSmIvatI ko prApta karane meM tanika bhI rasa nahIM thaa| isalie byAlU kara unhoMne kucha vizrAma kiyA, phira adRzya guTikA ko muMha meM rakhA aura ve adRzya ho ge| adRzya hokara ve bhImakumAra kI kuTIra meM yaha jAnane ke lie cale gae ki vaha kaba aura kaise jaaegaa| vIra vikrama adRzya the / bhImakumAra ko unakI upasthiti kA kucha patA nahIM calA / vikrama ne bhImakumAra kI ora dekhA aura usake kurUpa rUpa ko dekhakara kAMpa utthe| unhoMne socA - 'are! rAjakanyA ne isako kaise pasanda kiyA hogA ? isase to vanavAsI bhIla javAna bhI acche hote haiN| nizcita hI isake citrAMkana meM kucha hera-phera huA hai / ' bhImakumAra ne madirA kA pAtra khAlI kara zyAma ke Age rakhate hue kahA'abhI taka tRpti nahIM huI hai / ' - zyAma bolA-'mahArAja! Apane bahuta adhika madirApAna kara liyA hai ...... abhI taka Apane koI taiyArI nahIM kI hai..... ekAdha prahara ke pazcAt hameM yahAM se prasthAna kara denA haiM' 'tU pAtra bhara...mere meM madirA pacAne kI pUrI zakti hai.... aura taiyArI kyA karanI hai ? tUne UMTa taiyAra kiyA yA nahIM ? 250 vIra vikramAditya

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'UMTa to taiyAra hai....kevala ApakA kucha sAmAna aura dhanuSa-bANa Upara rakhane haiN| yaha to maiM kSaNa-bhara meM kara lUMgA....kintu Apa yadi adhika nazA kara leMge to....' 'oha! tU bahuta kuzala hai....koI bAta nahIM....pIche denaa| are zyAma! tujhe saMketa yAda hai yA nahIM?' 'kyA Apa bhUla gae?' . 'hAM, mujhe batA de....' 'rAjabhavana ke pIche rAjakanyA ke zayanakakSa meM eka dIpaka TimaTimAtA milegA....Apako nIce khar3e rahakara tIna bAra siyAra kI taraha bolanA hai..... 'zAbAza, zyAma ! upavana kI kucha dUrI para tujhe UMTa ko biThAe rakhanA hai|' 'mujhe yAda hai.....aba Apa veza badaleM..... 'mujhe taiyAra hone meM samaya nahIM lagegA....abhI rAtri kA pahalA prahara bhI pUrA nahIM huA hai| tU mujhe madirA kA eka pAtra de, jisase ki cetanA aura garmI A jAe.....phira to apane ghara jAne para hI madirA pIne ko milegii|' __ zyAma ne madirA kA eka pAtra bhImakumAra ko diyaa| usane pAtra ko AdhA khAlI kara zyAma ke hAtha meM dete hue kahA- 'zyAma ! aba tU pI le| pAtra khAlI ho jAne para mAMganA zeSa nahIM rhegaa|' ___ itanI carcA sunakara vikrama adRzya rUpa se bAhara nikalakara apanI kuTIra meM A ge| ve apanA jo thor3A-sA samAna thA, usa lekara rAjabhavana kI ora cala pdd'e| udyAna se bAhara nikalakara unhoMne apane muMha se adRzya guTikA nikAlakara kamara meM bAMdha lI aura rAjabhavana ke parisara meM A ge| usa samaya dUsarA prahara prArambha ho cukA thaa| rAjabhavana ke pIche eka upavana thaa| upavana ke pichale hisse meM aneka saghana vRkSa the| vIra vikrama ne parIkSaNa kiyA aura eka vRkSa ke koTara meM sAmAna rakha adRzyakaraNa guTikA ko muMha meM rakha adRzya ho ge| ve vRkSa para car3he aura upavana meM ghusa ge| unhoMne rAjabhavana ko dekhaa| rAjabhavana kI pAMcavIM maMjila ke gavAkSa meM eka dIpaka TimaTimA rahA thaa| usa para jAlIdAra Dhakkana thaa| vIra vikrama ne rAjakumArI kI caturAI samajha lii| unhoMne socA- rAjakumArI bahuta catura hai....eka bAra usakI ratnapeTikA ko dekha lenA cAhie....yaha socakara unhoMne rAjabhavana meM praveza karane kA nirNaya kara liyaa| vIra vikramane eka dvAra se praveza karanA caahaa| unhoMne pahale andara jhAMkakara dekhaa| unake mana meM eka saMzaya ubharA....dIpamAlikAoM ke prakAza meM svayaM ke vIra vikramAditya 251

Page #259
vastra adRzya raha nahIM sakate aura kevala vastroM vAle dhar3a ko dekhakara dAsadAsI ghabarAkara cillA uThe to bahuta kaThinAI ho sakatI hai| yaha socakara vikrama ne apane sAre vastra utArakara eka kuMja meM chipA die| phira ve nirbhaya hokara rAjabhavana meM praviSTa hue| rAjabhavana meM halacala thI, kintu koI unheM dekha nahIM sakatA thA....ve ekaeka kara maMjila car3hane lge| cauthI maMjila para unhoMne dekhA ki battIsa varSa kI eka sundarI jhUle para baiThI huI jhUla rahI hai| unheM pratIta huA ki yaha rAjaparivAra ke rahane kI maMjila honI caahie| jhUlA manda gati se Dola rahA thaa| Upara kI sopAna zreNI se eka naujavAna paricArikA nIce utara rahI thii| usa paricArikA ko dekhate hI vaha sundarI bolI'subhadrA ! lakSmI kyA kara rahI hai?' ____ 'mahAdevI! rAjakumArI jI apanI eka sakhI ke sAtha manoraMjana kara rahI hai....abhI ve Apake pAsa aaeNgii|' namana kara subhadrA ne khaa| . vIra vikrama eka kone meM khar3e raha ge| rAjakumArI ke nIce A jAne para ve Upara jAnA cAhate the| kucha hI kSaNoM ke pazcAt rAjakumArI nIce A gaI....use dekhakara sundarI ne prasannatA vyakta kii| rAjakumArI lakSmIvatI namana kara usake pAsa baiTha gii| usane pUchA-'mAM! kyA AjJA hai ?' 'lakSmI! tumhAre pitAzrI ne Aja bhI mujhase prazna kiyA thA....' haMsatI huI lakSmIvatI bolI-'mAM! maiM eka-do dina meM hI nirNaya kara lNgii|' 'triviSTapa ke yuvarAja kA citra tumheM pasanda nahIM AyA?' 'mAM! ve bahuta sthUla haiM aura unakI AMkha bahuta choTI hai| unakA muMha to mAno picaka gayA ho, aisA lagatA hai|' 'aura bhI aneka citrAMkana haiM.....mana ko upazAnta kara kisI rAjakumAra ko pasanda kara lo....yadi tuma cAho to maiM tumhArA mArgadarzana kara sakatI huuN|' 'taba to bahuta acchA hai....parasoM madhyAhna ke samaya Apa mere kakSa meM pdhaareN|' 'are, tuma apanI sakhiyoM ke manoraMjana meM bhUla mata jaanaa|' 'nahIM, mAM! pitAzrI kA mujha para kitanA sneha hai, kitanI cintA hai|' 'tuma merI Adarza aura guNavatI kanyA ho'-kahakara mAtA ne lakSmI kA mastaka cuumaa| usI samaya mahApratihAra kI dhvani sunAI dii| mahArAja ke padhArane kI yaha sUcanA dii| 252 vIra vikramAditya

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'tumhAre pitAzrI padhAra rahe haiM....aba tuma jaao|' lakSmI mAM ko praNAma kara apane kakSa meM jAne ke lie sopAna zreNI car3hane lgii| vikrama lakSmI ke rUpa-yauvana ko barAbara nihAra rahe the| unhoMne socA, 'aisI apUrva sundarI kyA eka kAga ke gale baMdhegI? are, maiM to rAjakanyA ko dekhane meM Asakta hokara ratnapeTikA ko dekhanA hI bhUla gyaa|' yaha vicAra Ate hI ve pAMcavIM maMjila para ge| rAjakumArI apane kakSa meM sakhiyoM se ghirI baiThI thii| vikrama usa kakSa meM ge| unhoMne socA, yaha rAjakumArI kA hI kakSa honA cAhie, kyoMki gavAkSa meM eka nanhA-sA dIpaka TimaTimA rahA thaa| kakSa meM pUrA prakAza thaa| vIra vikrama ne cAroM ora dekhaa| palaMga ke nIce eka choTI peTikA pdd'iithii| vikrama ne use uThAyA....vaha kucha bhArI lagI....kintu vaha khula nahIM sakatI thI....vikrama ne use vahIM rakha diyA....phira unakI dRSTi palaMga para par3e takie kI ora gii| usake nIce eka kauzeya rajju ko chipA rakhA thaa| vIra vikrama ne anumAna kiyA-yaha rajju nIce taka jA sake, itanI lambI avazya hai| unhoMne socA, kyA isa rajju ke sahAre bhImakumAra Upara AegA yA rAjakumArI nIce jAegI? vIra vikrama tatkAla gavAkSa kI ora gae....gavAkSa majabUta thA...eka hI patthara kA banA huA thA....gavAkSa meM rajju bAMdhane kA sahaja avakAza thaa| itanA nirIkSaNa kara vIra vikrama khaMDa ke bAhara nikle| unhoMne dekhA ki rAjakanyA aura usakI sakhiyAM kakSa ke bAhara calI gaI haiM aura rAjakumArI unheM vidAI de rahI hai| saheliyAM nIce utareM, usase pUrva hI vikrama nIce utarane lage....cauthI maMjila kA jhUlA khAlI par3A thaa| vikrama ne socA, mahAdevI aura candrabhUpa zayanakakSa meM cale gae pratIta hote haiN| phira ve zIghratA se nIce utare aura jisa mArga se Ae the, usI mArga se bAhara nikala ge| bAhara Ane ke pazcAt ve usa sthAna para gae, jahAM unhoMne apane vastroM ko chipAkara rakhA thaa| vahAM se vastra nikAlakara ve eka kuMja ke pIche gae, vastra pahane aura eka ora baiTha ge| kucha samaya pazcAt unhoMne socA, ratnapeTikA aura rAjakumArI donoM ko hI le jAnA ucita hogA, anyathA aisA nirdoSa aura sundara nArI-ratna eka zatru vIra vikramAditya 253

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rAjA ke vaira kA bhoga bnegaa| yaha haMsinI eka kAga ke gale meM baMdhI rahakara jIvana bhara du:kha paaegii| aisA anyAya kaise sahA jAe ? vikrama ne pAMcavIM maMjila ke gavAkSa kI ora dekhA / bhItara kI dIpamAlAoM se jo prakAza bAhara A rahA thA, vaha banda ho gayA....saMbhava hai rAjakumArI ne sArI dIpamAlikAeM bujhA dI hoM / kucha hI kSaNoM ke pazcAt unhoMne dekhA ki gavAkSa ke pAsa eka nArI khar3I hai aura vaha kucha kara rahI hai...... nizcita hI rAjakumArI gavAkSa meM kauzeya vastra bAMdha rahI hogI / kintu aba kyA kiyA jAe ? bhImakumAra Ae taba use mUrcchita karUM yA aura kucha ? yadi aisA karate samaya bhImakumAra cillA uThe to sArI yojanA dhUla meM mila jAegI...... oha ! taba... ? do kSaNoM ke pazcAt vikrama ne apane mitra agnivaitAla ko yAda kiyA.... vaitAla vIra vikrama ke samakSa upasthita hokara bolA- 'kyA AjJA hai, mahArAja ? kyA ratnapeTikA prApta ho gaI ?' 'nahIM, mitra ! ratnapeTikA aura rAjakumArI - donoM ko le jAne kA nirNaya kiyA hai|' yaha kahakara vikrama ne saMkSepa meM bhImakumAra kI bAta kahI / vaitAla ne haMsakara kahA - 'mahArAja ! dUsaroM ke duHkha dUra karane kI prakriyA meM ApakA antaHpura rAniyoM se bhara jAegA.... Apa AjJA kareM to rAjakumArI aura ratnapeTikA ko uThA lAUM / ' 'aisA nahIM.....tumheM kevala eka kAma karanA hai .... kucha hI kSaNoM ke pazcAt bhImakumAra AegA.....usakA eka sevaka UMTa ko biThAkara usakI pratIkSA meM khar3A rhegaa| tumheM bhImakumAra aura usake sevaka ko unake deza meM pahuMcA denA hai.....pIche maiM saba kucha saMbhAla lUMgA / ' 'isase to yahI acchA hai ki maiM Apako tathA ratnapeTikA sahita rAjakanyA ko avaMtI pahuMcA duuN|' 'nahIM, mitra ! mArga meM mujhe rAjakanyA ke svabhAva kI parIkSA karanI hai aura usakI zakti kA lekhA-jokhA bhI lenA hai|' vikrama ne kahA / do kSaNa socakara vaitAla bolA- 'jaisI ApakI AjJA....... 'to aba hameM kucha kSaNoM taka pratIkSA karanI hogI.....bhImakumAra Akara jaba siyAra kI bolI bolane lage taba tumheM apanA kAma kara lenA hai|' donoM mitra vahIM baiTha ge| 254 vIra vikramAditya

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50. juArI rAjA candra kA saptabhauma prAsAda atyanta zUnya-sA pratIta ho rahA thA, mAno ki vaha nidrAdevI kI goda meM calA gayA ho| rAjabhavana ke uttara meM praveza-dvAra thaa| vahAM dasa-pandraha sazastra praharI paharA de rahe the| usI ora dAsa-dAsiyoM ke lie nivAsagRha bane hue the| bhavana ke dAsa-dAsI apane-apane nivAsagRha meM pahuMce cuke the| kucheka sevaka rAjabhavana meM nidrAdhIna ho gae the| madhyarAtri kA samaya ho cukA thaa| vikrama aura vaitAla bhImakumAra kI pratIkSA meM baiThe the| do sazastra praharI upavana kI ora dRSTi kara Age bar3ha gae the| aura vikrama kI teja dRSTi upavana kI cAradIvArI para sthira huii| eka manuSya dIvAra phAMdakara andara A rahA thaa| vikrama ne vaitAla kA dhyAna usa ora khiiNcaa| bhImakumAra dIvAra phAMdakara upavana meM praviSTa ho gayA thaa| vaha cAroM ora dekhatA huA maMda gati se Age bar3ha rahA thaa| phira usane gavAkSa kIora dekhA, jahaM eka dIpaka TimaTimA rahA thaa| tatkAla usane eka vRkSa kI oTa meM khar3e hokara tIna bAra siyAra kI-sI AvAja kii| kucha hI kSaNoM meM rAjakanyA gavAkSa meM AyI aura hAtha ke saMketa se kucha dera Thaharane ko khaa| usI samaya vaitAla ne apanA kArya prArambha kiyaa| bhImakumAra usI vRkSa ke pAsa mUrchita hokara gira pdd'aa| vaitAla ne tatkAla use uThA liyaa| aura vikrama vahIM khar3e raha ge| unhoMne adRzyakaraNa guTikA apane muMha se nikAlakara kamara meM bAMdha lii| vaitAla upavana ke pichale bhAga kI jhAr3I meM gyaa| usane dekhA, eka UMTa baiThA hai aura eka vyakti vRkSa kI Ar3a meM khar3A-khar3A upavana kI cAradIvArI kI ora dekha rahA hai| vaha zyAma thA, rAjakumAra kA UMTacAlaka / vaitAla ne use bhI mUrcchita kara uThA liyA aura donoM ko lekara adRzya ho gyaa| isa ora rAjakanyA puna: gavAkSa meM aayii| usane kauzeya rajju ke sahAre ratnapeTikA ko nIce DhakelA aura bhImakumAra ko nikaTa Ane kA saMketa kiyaa| bhImakumAra ke sthAna para khar3e vikrama gavAkSa ke nIce aae| ratnapeTikA nIce A gaI thii| vikrama ne ratnapeTikA ko rajju se mukta kiyaa| rAjakanyA ne tatkAla rajju ko Upara khIMca liyaa| phira usane hAtha ke saMketa se vikrama ko vahIM khar3e rahane ke lie khaa| vikrama ne saMketa ko samajha liyaa| ve ratnapeTikA lekara eka vRkSa kI oTa meM khar3e raha ge| vIra vikramAditya 255

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kucha samaya biitaa| vikrama ke kAnoM meM rAjabhavana ke pichale hisse ke dvAra ke khulane kI AvAja aayii| vikrama ne usa ora dekhA....rAjakanyA usa dvAra se bAhara nikalI aura cAroM ora dRSTi DAlatI huI dhIre-dhIre Age bar3hane lagI...vikrama ne kucha Age bar3hakara hAtha UMcA kiyA....tatkAla rAjakanyA usa ora Ane lgii| phira donoM upavana kI dIvAra ke pAsa aae| vikrama ne sahArA dekara pahale rAjakanyA ko dIvAra para car3hAyA....phira ratnapeTikA use sauMpa svayaM bhI dIvAra para car3ha ge| donoM upavana kI dIvAra ke usa pAra utara ge| vIra vikrama ne jahAM apanA sAmAna chipAyA thA, usa vRkSa ke koTara se sArA sAmAna liyA aura kaMdhe para rakha liyaa| rAjakanyA ne pUchA-'ApakA vAhana?' 'sAmane khar3A hai....aba Apa nirbhaya rheN|' kahakara vikrama ne rAjakanyA kA hAtha pakar3A aura donoM UMTa kI dizA meM calane lge| kucha hI kSaNoM ke pazcAt donoM UMTa para savAra ho ge| pavanavegI UMTa calane lgaa| vikrama ne dekhA, UMTa atyanta tejasvI hai| usakI gati atyanta tIvra hai| vikrama ko eka kaThinAI kA anubhava hone lgaa| ve yahAM ke mArgoM se sarvathA anabhijJa the aura yaha svAbhAvika thA ki UMTa apane paricita mArga se hI cle| cAra yojana kI dUrI taya karane ke pazcAt vikrama ne UMTa ke mArga ko badalA aura Ubar3a-khAbar3a mArga se calanA prArambha kiyaa| kucha dUrI para eka vana-pradeza aayaa| jhAr3iyoM ke kAraNa UMTa kI gati maMda ho gaI, parantu vikrama ne usI mArga se UMTa ko Age bddh'aayaa| aMdhakAra ke kAraNa vRkSa kI zAkhAeM rAjakanyA ko chUne lgiiN| usane mRdu svara meM kahA-'Apane yaha dizA kyoM lI? yaha to koI vana-pradeza hai...mere vastra bhI zAkhAoM meM aTakate jA rahe haiN|' 'priye! cintA mata karo....maiMne surakSA ke lie hI yaha mArga liyA hai.... tuma kucha nIce jhuka jAo, zAkhAeM sparza nahIM kreNgii|' vikrama bole| rAtri kA tIsarA prahara pUrA hone vAlA thaa| vikrama ko unnidra rahane meM koI bAdhA nahIM thI, kintu unheM yaha cintA satA rahI thI ki komalAMgI rAjakumArI UMTa para baiThI-baiThI thaka jaaegii| vikrama ne kahA- 'devI! tumhArI icchA ho to kucha vizrAma kreN|' __'kyA aba bhaya jaisA kucha nahIM hai?' __'nahIM, rAjabhavana meM prAta:kAla se pUrvakhabara nahIM pdd'egii| taba taka hama bahuta dUra A gaye hoNge| icchA ho to do-cAra ghaTikA taka UMTa ko khar3A kara vizrAma kara leN|' 256 vIra vikramAditya

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"jaisI ApakI icchaa|' lakSmIvatI ne itanA hI khaa| usake mana meM bhImadeva ke cehare ko dekhane kI tamannA jAga gaI thii| kintu vaha Age baiThI thI aura lajjAvaza pIche nahIM dekha pA rahI thii| vana-pradeza saghana thA....hiMsaka prANiyoM kI AvAjeM bhI sunAI de rahI thiiN| kucha dUra Age bar3hane para eka suramya sthala AyA, jahAM vizrAma kiyA jA sakatA thaa| vikrama ne UMTa ko khar3A kiyA, nIce bitthaayaa| vikrama UMTa se nIce utare aura apane hAtha kA sahArA dekara rAjakanyA ko nIce utaaraa| bhImakumAra ke sevaka zyAma ne UMTa para kucha sAmAna lAda rakhA thA....dhanuSabANa....cAdara aadi-aadi| vikramanesamatala sthAna dekhakara cAdara bichAI aura phira rAjakanyA kI ora mur3akara kahA-'kucha vizrAma kara lo|' 'Apa?' 'mujhe jAgate rahane kI Adata hai...tuma kucha vizrAma kara lo....rAta kA aMtima prahara cala rahA hai....sUryodaya se pUrva hameM ravAnA ho jAnA hai|' . rAjakanyA bolI nhiiN| vaha usa bichI huI cAdara para saMkocapUrvaka so gii| vikrama UMTa ke pAsa gae....andhakAra to thA hI....vana bhI bhayaMkara pratIta ho rahA thaa| svayaM kisa ora jA rahe haiM, yaha unheM jJAta nahIM thaa| lakSmIvatI bhI apane sAhasika kadama ke viSaya meM socane lagI....maiMne eka chavi mAtra ko dekhakara apane priya mAtA-pitA kA tyAga kara diyA....bhImakumAra ke pitA zatru haiM...vahAM merA kaisA svAgata hogA? mere sAtha kyA vyavahAra hogA? bhImakumAra ke hRdaya meM merA kyA sthAna banegA?....ye sAre prazna usa rAjakanyA ke mana meM ubharane lge| use lagA ki usakI naukA AzA aura nirAzA ke bIca jhUla rahI hai| patA nahIM, mujhe AzA kA kinArA prApta hogA yA nirAzA kA? use abhI taka yaha jJAta nahIM ho pAyA thA ki kurUpa bhImakumAra ke badale vaha bhArata ke zreSTha aura mahAn tejasvI rAjA ko prApta kara cukI hai aura unhoMne kurUpa bhImakumAra ke paMjoM se use mukti dilAI hai| use aisI kalpanA bhI kaise ho sakatI hai? usane to eka yojanA banAI thI aura usI yojanA ke anusAra vaha svayaM apane mAtA-pitA aura ghara kA tyAga kara nikalI hai| ___yauvana ke Aveza se athavA aparipakva buddhi ke kAraNa aise sAhasapUrNa nirNaya le liye jAte haiM aura ve manuSya ke lie ghAtaka siddha ho jAte haiN| prAta:kAla huaa| pakSiyoM kA kalarava sunAI dene lagA....vikrama ne AsapAsa dRSTi daur3Akara dekhA ki kahIM jalAzaya to nahIM hai| use kucha bhI dikhAI nahIM vIra vikramAditya 257

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diyaa| usane rAjakanyA kI ora dekhakara kahA-'devI! prAta:kAla ho gayA hai....nIMda to A gaI thI na?' rAjakumArI tatkAla uTha gaI aura vikrama kI ora dekhakara bolI-'kucha vizrAma to mila hI gayA....' prabhAta kA snigdha prakAza bahuta AnandadAyI laga rahA thA....rAjakanyA ne vikrama kI ora dekhakara AkAza para dRSTi ddaalii| vikrama ne cAdara Adi sameTakara UMTa para rakha die| rAjakanyA ko Age bitthaayaa| rAjakanyA ne apanI ratnapeTikA sNbhaalii| vikrama bhI UMTa para baiTha ge| aba UMTa eka pagaDaMDI ke mArga se ravAnA huaa| ___UMTa ko bhI vizrAma mila cukA thA, isalie usakI gati meM bhI mastI A gaI thii| vana-pradeza pUrA huaa| sUryodaya ho cukA thaa| aba UMTa sapATa maidAna para daur3A jA rahA thaa| rAjakanyA ke mana meM eka saMzaya jAgA thA ki bhImakumAra kA rAjya to uttara dizA kI ora hai aura yaha pravAsa dakSiNa dizA kI ora ho rahA hai....aisA kyoM? kyA pitAjI jo kahate usI ke anusAra yaha zatru-putra mujhe kahIM viparIta dizA meM to nahIM le jA rahA hai? kyA yaha badale kI bhAvanA kA pratiphala to nahIM hai? vaha mana-hI-mana akulAhaTa kA anubhava kara rahI thI....vaha kise kahe? aba vaha sarvathA maunabhAva se baiThI rhii| dina kA pahalA prahara pUrA huaa| vikrama ne socA-aba hama tAmralipti nagarI se bahuta dUra A gae haiM....aba koI bhaya nahIM hai| unhoMne cAroM ora dekhA, kintu koI jalAzaya yA gAMva dikhAI nahIM diyA....kyA yaha pradeza itanA zuSka hai? vikrama dakSiNa dizA meM hI UMTa ko bhagAe jA rahe the| do ghaTikA ke bAda unakI dRSTi vanarAji se suzobhita eka jalAzaya para par3I...unakA mana Anandita ho uThA aura jalAzaya ke pAsa pahuMcakara unhoMne UMTa ko rokakara rAjakanyA se kahA'devI! prAta:karma se nivRtta hone ke lie yaha sthAna upayukta hai|' lakSmIvatI apane saMzaya meM hI khoyI huI thii| vikrama ne eka vRkSa ke nIce UMTa ko biThAyA, svayaM nIce utare aura rAjakanyA ko hAtha kA sahArA dekara nIce utaaraa| vRkSa ke nIce cAra bichA dii| donoM prAta:karma se nivRtta hone ke lie ge| rAjakanyA prAta:karma se nivRtta hokara A gii| vikrama prAta:karma se nivRtta ho, snAna Adi kara eka ghaTikA bAda aae| rAjakanyA vikrama ko spaSTa rUpa se 258 vIra vikramAditya

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pahalI bAra dekha rahI thii| vaha cauNkii| rAjakanyA ne saMzaya ke svaroM meM kahA- 'maiMne jo chavi dekhI thI....?' bIca meM hI vikrama ne haMsate hue kahA- 'oha ! tumane jo chavi dekhI thI vaha tumhAre pitA ke zatru kI ThagAI thI....tumhAre pitA kI nAka kATane kI yojanA thI....bhImakumAra chavi se bhI bahuta adhika kurUpa thA, madyapAyI bhI thaa.....|' 'Apa kauna haiM?' 'maiM ?' kahakara vikrama khilakara haMsa uThe aura haMsate-haMsate bole-'maiM jIvana ke sAtha juA khelane vAlA juArI hUM, kintu abhI hama kucha khA leN|' kahakara vikrama ne Dibbe se miThAI nikaalii| rAjakanyA bolI-'to phira Apa mujhe dakSiNa kI ora kyoM le jA rahe haiM?' 'pahale kSudhA zAMta karo.....kucha vizrAma karo....aba cintA karane se koI lAbha nahIM hai|' kahakara vikrama miThAI khAne lge| saMzayagrasta rAjakanyA vicAramagna hokara baiThI rhii| vikrama bole- 'devI! peTa meM kucha giregA to mana kI vyathA dUra ho jaaegii| tumane yaha to jAna hI liyA hogA ki madhyarAtri se lekara aba taka maiM tumhAre sAtha rahA hUM, parantu kSaNa bhara bhI maiMne tumhAre sAtha koI abhadra vyavahAra nahIM kiyaa|' 'ApakA nAma ?' 'vikrama juaarii.....|' 'mujhe kahAM le jA rahe haiM ?' 'isakA javAba taba milegA jaba tuma kucha khA logii|' rAjakanyA ko bhUkha satA rahI thI....usane miThAI khAnI zurU kii| bhojanAdi se nivRtta hokara vikrama jalAzaya kI ora ge| pAnI piyA aura lauTate samaya pAnI se eka loTA bhara laae| rAjakanyA ne jalapAna kiyaa| vikrama ko lagA ki rAjakanyA kucha Azvasta huI hai| ve bole-'kucha vizrAma karanA hai, yA pravAsa karanA hai?' 'Apa kucha vizrAma kreN| pUrI rAta kA jAgaraNa hai aura UMTa kA pravAsa...' 'nahIM devI! maiM aise pravAsoM kA abhyasta hUM....jaba maiM thaka jAUMgA taba avazya hI ArAma kara luuNgaa|' vikrama ne khaa| 'to....?' 'kyA?' 'Apane kahA thA ki miThAI khAne ke pazcAt....aba Apa batAeM ki mujhe kahAM le jA rahe haiM?' vIra vikramAditya 256

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'pahale vizrAma kara lo, phira pravAsa meM sArI bAta btaauuNgaa|' itanA kahakara vikrama UMTa kI nakela pakar3akara jAne lge| rAjakanyA ne bhaya ke svaroM meM kahA- 'kahAM jA rahe haiM?' 'saMzaya mata karo-isa prakAra jaMgala meM tumheM ekAkI chor3akara nahIM jaauuNgaa| maiM UMTa ko pAnI pilAne ke lie jalAzaya para le jA rahA huuN|' rAjakanyA avAk hokara vikrama kI ora dekhatI rhii| usane socA, yaha puruSa bahuta sundara aura nirmala hai| yaha juArI kyoM banA ? aba mujhe kahAM le jAyegA? aba isa puruSa se vilaga hone kA bhI koI artha nahIM hai, kyoMki isake hAtha kA sparza do-tIna bAra ho cukA hai| aba to niyati ko jo maMjUra hai, vahI hogaa| yaha puruSa juArI ho yA anya koI, isako jIvanasAthI banAe binA koI cArA nahIM hai| UMTa ko pAnI pilAkara vikrama lauTa aae| ve bole- 'kyoM? vizrAma nahIM karanA hai? pravAsa kareM?' lakSmI bolI- 'jaisI ApakI icchaa|' donoM UMTa para baiTha gae aura UMTa mArga para cala pdd'aa| pavana vega se pravAsa cala rahA thaa| madhyAhnakAla pUrA ho gyaa| rAjakanyA ne pUchA- 'Apane mujhe abhI taka nahIM batAyA?' ... 'oha! dekho maiM eka juArI hUM-dakSiNa dizA meM eka bhIlapallI hai| vahAM ke bhIla rAjA ke sAtha juA khelate samaya maiM sArA dhana hAra gyaa| sAtha-hI-sAtha maiM eka navayauvanA ko dAMva meM lagAkara bAjI hAra gyaa| maiM apanI parAjaya ko vijaya meM badalane ke lie usa ora jA rahA huuN|' vikrama ne svAbhAvika svara meM khaa| yaha sunakara rAjakanyA sahama utthii| usane mana-hI-mana socA, kyA yaha juArI mujhe bhI dAMva meM rakhegA? o bhagavAna ! maiMne apanA ghara kyoM chor3A? jo saMtAna mAtA-pitA kA kahanA nahIM mAnatI, usakI yahI dazA hotI hai| vaha kucha bolI nahIM, mana-hI-mana vyathA kA anubhava karane lgii| mArga meM do-tIna choTe gAMva Ae, parantu vikrama ne UMTa ko kahIM nahIM rokaa| aura phira eka vana-pradeza prArambha ho gyaa| koI pathika milA nahIM, jisase vikrama pUchakara apanA mArga taya krte| ve usI vana-pradeza meM UMTa ko pavana vega se liye jA rahe the| lagabhaga do yojana dUra jAne para eka choTI nadI milii| vikrama ne kahA- 'devI! sAMjha hone hI vAlI hai| vana-pradeza kaba pUrA hogA, isakI kalpanA nahIM kI jA sakatI, isalie isa nadI ke taTa para hameM rAta bitAnI hogii|' 260 vIra vikramAditya

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rAjakanyA kucha nahIM bolii| vaha UMTa se nIce utara gii| eka svaccha sthAna dekhakara vikrama ne cAdara bichaaii| or3hane ke lie do vastra nikAle aura dhanuSa-bANa bhI apane pAsa rakha liye| rAjakanyA ne apanI ratnapeTikA pAsa meM rkhii| vikrama ne pUchA- 'isa peTikA meM alaMkAra haiM?' lakSmIvatI ne kevala mastaka nvaayaa| donoM ne nadI ke svaccha jala meM hAtha-muMha dhoe aura pAsa meM jo khAdya sAmagrI thI, use khAkara bhUkha zAMta kii| vikrama ne UMTa ke lie cAre kA prabandha kara diyaa| saMdhyA biitii| rAta kA prArambha ho gyaa| vikrama apanI thailI ko takie kI bhAMti rakhakara cAdara para baiTha ge| rAjakanyA bhI ratnapeTikA ko cAdara ke nIce takie kI taraha rakhakara cAdara ke eka ora baiTha gii| vikrama ne leTakara kahA-'devI! Aja tuma kucha samaya taka merI pagacaMpI karo, jisase ki merI thakAna dUra ho|' rAjakanyA ghabarA gii| usane socA, bhAgya meM juArI hI pati ke rUpa meM likhA hai to phira dUsarA saMzaya kyoM rakhU?' rAjakanyA vikrama kI pagacaMpI karane lgii| idhara vaitAla ne bhImakumAra aura zyAma ko unakI rAjadhAnI cakrapura ke eka udyAna meM lA chodd'aa| vaitAla calA gyaa| prAta:kAla hone para donoM aMga maror3akara uThe mAno ki ve ghora nIMda se uTha rahe haiN| donoM ne socA, 'are! yaha kyA? hama kahAM A gae? rAjakumArI kahAM hai? kahAM hai vaha rAjabhavana, jahAM se lakSmIvatI ne mujhe saMketa se kucha pratIkSA karane ke lie kahA thA? are, yaha upavana to paricita-sA hai| donoM ghaTita ghaTanA ke bAre meM Azcaryamugdha hokara socane lge| aba socane ke sivAya unake pAsa rahA hI kyA thA? 51. vezyA ke jAla meM rAtri ke prathama prahara ke pUre hote-hote hI, ujAgara aura pravAsa kI thakAna se zrAnta bane vIra vikrama nidrAdhIna ho ge| unake pairoM para rAjakanyA ke hAthoM kA komala sparza ho rahA thA....kintu isakI cintA kie binA vikrama gaharI nIMda meM so ge| pagacaMpI karatI huI rAjakanyA ke mana meM vicAra A rahe the| bhAgya kI lIlA aparaMpAra hotI hai| kahAM tAmralipti kA saptabhauma prAsAda aura kahAM yaha janazUnya araNya ! kahAM icchita puruSa kA varaNa karane vAlI rAjakanyA maiM aura kahAM bhAgyavaza vIra vikramAditya 261

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prApta juArI pati!, para aba kyA ho? karma ke anusAra jo prApta huA hai, use hI varadAna mAna lenA zreSTha hai| maiMne jisa puruSa kA sparza kara liyA hai, vaha cAhe juArI ho yA madyapAyI ho yA rAjA, vaha mere lie svAmI hai...mere zUnya hRdaya meM aba koI dUsarA pratiSThita nahIM ho sakatA....maiM bhale hI rAjakanyA rahI, para hUM maiM eka Arya nArI aura Arya nArI kA maMgala karttavya hai ki vaha apane pati ko paramezvara maane| mujhe karttavya-vimukha nahIM honA hai| ___ ina vicAroM ke sAtha-sAtha usake mana meM eka prazna bhI ubhara rahA thA ki mere mAtA-pitA kI kyA dazA huI hogI? merI pyArI mAM bilakha-bilakhakara AMsU bahA rahI hogI aura mahAn pitAzrI ne merI khoja meM cAroM ora dUtoM ko bhejA hogA aura bhImakumAra kA kyA huA hogA? kyA vaha apane mAtA-pitA ke vaira kA badalA lene ko utsuka hai? isa juArI pati ne jo kahA ki bhImakumAra atyanta kurUpa aura badasUrata hai, kyA yaha saca hai ? he bhagavan ! eka rAta meM kyA-kyA ghaTita ho gayA? rAta kA dUsarA prahara kabhI kA prAraMbha ho cukA thaa| rAjakanyA kI AMkhoM meM nIMda utarane lagI.....usane dekhA, juArI pati gaharI nIMda meM kharrATe le rahA hai, isalie vaha bhI eka ora par3I cAdara para so gii| jyoM hI vaha nIMda kI goda meM jA rahI thI ki usake kAnoM se siMha kI bhayaMkara dahAr3a ttkraayii| vaha har3abar3Akara utthii| bhayabhIta dRSTi se usane juArI kI ora dekhaa| vIra vikrama gaharI nIMda meM thaa| rAjakanyA ne use jagAte hue kahA-'yahAM koI siMha AyA lagatA hai|' tatkAla vikrama utthaa| aMdhakAra ke kAraNa kucha bhI dikhAI nahIM diyaa| itane meM hI siMha puna: dhaadd'aa| vikrama ne dhanuSa hAtha meM le eka bANa siMha-garjanA kI dizA meM chodd'aa| rAjakanyA Dara se kAMpa rahI thI....para vikrama tatkAla so gyaa| rAjakanyA bhI vikrama ke pairoM para sira TikAkara so gii| do ghaTikA bItI hogI ki eka bAgha kI AvAja aayii| rAjakanyA jAgI aura juArI pati ko jgaayaa| vikrama ne dhanuSa para dUsarA bANa cddh'aayaa| bAgha ne garjanA kI aura vikrama ne usa ora bANa chodd'aa| phira vikrama tatkAla so gyaa| juArI kI isa nIMda para rAjakanyA ko Azcarya huA....yaha kaise hRdaya kA puruSa hai? na isameM koI bhaya hai aura na koI Asakti! kucha kSaNa pUrNa nIravatA meM bIte....rAjakanyA bhI apane sthAna para so gii| pUrvAkAza meM uSA kA siMdUra camakane lagA...pakSI cahacahAhaTa karane lage.... vikrama jAgA....usane dekhA, rAjakanyA ArAma se so rahI hai.... usane socA, aba 262 vIra vikramAditya

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pravAsa meM cala par3anA caahie| usane rAjakanyA kI ora dekhakara kahA - 'devI! sUryodaya hone vAlA hai ..... abhI hameM bahuta dUra jAnA hai|' 'oha!' kahakara lakSmIvatI uThI aura vikrama kI ora dRSTi kara kahA'ApakI nIMda ajaba hai ! ' 'kyoM ? maiM to pahale hI jAga gayA hUM.... nIMda to tumhArI ajaba lagatI hai ..... aba tuma prAta: kArya sampanna karo....tumhAre pAsa anya vastra nahIM haiM ?' 'jaldabAjI meM...' 'koI bAta nahIM.... mArga meM koI bar3A gAMva AegA to vahAM se vastra kharIda leMge - kintu eka bAra bhImakumAra kA thailA saMbhAla luuN| saMbhava hai....' 'svAmI!' bIca meM hI Azcarya vyakta karate hue vikrama ne kahA - 'eka bhayaMkara juArI ko svAmI kahatI ho ?' 'hAM, svAmI - Apa koI bhI hoM, mere lie Apa prANezvara hI haiN| bhAgya se mujhe jo prApta huA hai, vaha mere lie varadAna rUpa hai / ' 'tuma bahuta utAvale meM nirNaya letI ho ?' 'jIvana meM kabhI-kabhI zIghra nirNaya karanA hotA hai / ' 'acchA, kintu maiM tumheM socane kA avasara dUMgA.... tuma kyA kahanA cAhatI thI ?' 'Apane bhImakumAra ke thaile kI bAta kahI thI, to kyA bhImakumAra mujhe lene AyA thA ?' 'hAM, devI! yaha UMTa usI kA hai| saMyogavaza maiMne bhImakumAra kA rUpa dekha liyA thA.... usakI yojanA bhI jAna gayA thA.... isalie maiMne eka juA khelA..... kintu aba tuma vilamba mata karo - acchA, aisA karo ki isa cAdara ko dhAraNa kara snAna kara lo, phira ye vastra hI pahana lenA / ' rAjakanyA or3hane kI kauzeya cAdara lekara nadI kI ora gaI / vikrama ne UMTa ko eka vRkSa ke sAtha bAMdhA, jisase ki vaha vRkSa ke pAta khA ske| lagabhaga ekAdha ghaTikA ke pazcAt rAjakanyA prAta: karma se nivRtta hokara A gii| vikrama ne dekhA-lakSmIvatI vAstava meM hI saundarya kI rAnI haiM, kamanIya hai / vikrama ko apanI ora nihArate dekhakara rAjakanyA bolI- 'kyA dekha rahe haiM ?' 'tumheM dekhakara mujhe mere bhAgya kI cintA ho rahI hai / ' vIra vikramAditya 263

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'maiM samajhI nhiiN|' 'tumane to eka juArI ko svAmI mAna liyA-kintu merI yogyatA kitanI hai, yaha to mujhe soca lenA caahie|' 'svAmI! ApakI vANI se mujhe nahIM lagatA ki Apa juArI haiN|' 'ThIka hI hai....anubhavahIna AMkheM aMta:karaNa kI gaharAI ko nahIM dekha sakatIM....are, mujhe yAda AyA-tumane rAta ko mujhe do bAra jagAyA thA, maiMne do bANa bhI chor3e the|' 'eka bAra siMha aura dUsarI bAra bAgha AyA thaa|' lakSmIvatI ne khaa| 'o! kintu tumako yAda hai ki bANa kisa ora chor3A thA?' 'hAM, sAmane kI jhAr3I kI or|' _ 'to aba tuma eka kAma karo-hamArA pravAsa lambA hai aura tUNIra meM bANa kama haiN| una do bANoM ko khoja lAo to acchA rhegaa| taba taka maiM prAta:kArya sampanna kara letA huuN| 'acchA' kahakara rAjakumArI jhAr3I kI ora gii| vikrama nadI kI ora ge| rAjakumArI jhAr3I ke pIche gii| vahAM kA dRzya dekhakara vaha stabdha raha gii| eka ora siMha marA par3A thA aura usakA muMha bANa se bIMdhA huA thaa| usase mAtra bIsa hAtha kI dUrI para bAgha bhI marA par3A thaa| rAjakanyA ne donoM ke muMha se bANa khIMca lie| usane socA, kyA yaha juArI itanA sakSama nizAnebAja hai? rAtri ke aMdhakAra meM kucha bhI dikhAI nahIM de rahA thA, kevala zabda ke AdhAra para bANa chor3e the-are, kyA ye vAstava meM juArI haiM? inakA ceharA kitanA bhavya hai ! inakI bhujAeM kitanI vizAla haiM ! inakA vakSasthala! ye kauna haiM ? maiMne do rAtriyAM inake sAtha bitAIM, para inhoMne apanA viveka nahIM khoyA, mere prati inhoMne doSapUrNa dRSTi se bhI nahIM dekhA....kauna haiM ye? isa prakAra socatI huI lakSmIvatI lahU se sane donoM bANa hAtha meM lekara apane sthAna para aayii| abhI taka vikrama prAta:kArya sampanna kara lauTe nahIM the| rAjakanyA vicAramagna hokara baiTha gii| kucha samaya pazcAt prasannacitta vIra vikrama vahAM A phuNce| rAjakanyA ko vicAramagna dekhakara pUchA- 'kyoM devI! bANa mila gae na?' 'hAM, svAmI ! ApakI nizAnebAjI ne mujhe vicAramagna kara DAlA hai|' baiThate hue vikrama ne kahA-'idhara-udhara ghUmane vAle juArI ko yadi itanA bhI nahIM AtA to use bemauta maranA par3atA hai...aba hameM kucha khA-pI lenA cAhie....pAsa meM kucha khAdya hai hii| Age kI Age soceNge|' 264 vIra vikramAditya

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donoM ne kucha khaayaa| khAdya samApta ho gyaa| UMTa para sArA sAmAna lAdakara pravAsa prArambha kara diyaa| vAstava meM UMTa jAtivAn thaa| usakI gati meM kahIM koI truTi nahIM A rahI thI-gati kI tIvratA bhI vahI thii| __ madhyAhna ke samaya ve eka gAMva ke parisara meM phuNce| gAMva meM eka choTI pAMthazAlA thii| vahAM vizrAma karane ke lie ve ruke| pAMthazAlA ke munIma ne unakA satkAra kiyaa| vikrama ne munImajI ke dvArA UMTa ke lie cArA-pAnI kI vyavasthA karAI aura garama rasoI kI vyavasthA kara uttama prakAra kI miThAI maMgAkara apane pAsa vAle Dibbe bhara liye| ___ munImajI se yaha jJAta huA ki isa madhyama gAMva meM vastra ke cAra-pAMca vyApArI haiM aura eka vyApArI ke pAsa uttama vastra mila sakate haiN| vikrama ne usa vyApArI ko pAMthazAlA meM bulA bhejaa| vaha vyApArI vastra lekara aayaa| vastra madhyama koTi ke the kintu vikrama ne svayaM ke lie eka jor3I vastra aura lakSmIvatI ke lie do jor3I vastra kharIda liye| __ aparAhna meM vIra vikrama ne puna: pravAsa prArambha kiyaa| aba mArga bhI sApha thA-jhAr3a-jhaMkhAr3a nahIM the| vikrama ne socA, yadi mArga aisA hI rahA to rAtabhara pravAsa kara lenA caahie| vaisA hI huaa| rAtri kA prathama prahara pUrA huA, taba vikrama ne rAjakanyA se kahA-'devI! vizrAma karanA ho to svaccha sthAna kI gaveSaNA karUM?' 'koI pallI yA gAMva ho to acchA rhe|' 'yaha mArga mere lie sarvathA aparicita hai, kintu maiMne pAMthazAlA ke munIma se jAnA thA ki lagabhaga pacAsa yojana kI dUrI para lakSmIpura nAma kI eka nagarI hai, yadi hama rAta-bhara pravAsa kareM to usa nagarI meM pahuMca sakate haiN|' 'mujhe koI Apatti nahIM hai|' 'phira bhI hameM apararAtri meM kahIM-na-kahIM vizrAma karanA hI pdd'egaa|' vikrama ne khaa| rAjakanyA sahamata ho gii| pravAsa avirata cAlU rhaa| UMTa bhI eka-sI gati se daur3A jA rahA thaa| rAtri kA tIsarA prahara pUrA huaa| lakSmIvatI ko nIMda A rahI thii| vikrama ne pUchA- 'ArAma karanA hai na?' 'nahIM....merI AMkheM kucha bhArI ho rahI haiM....kintu maiM sAvecata huuN|' lakSmI ne khaa| vIra vikramAditya 265

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UMTa usI gati se bhAgA jA rahA thA, mAno ki use thakAna hI na A rahI ho| uSA kA prakAza pRthvI para phailane lgaa| vikrama ne dekhA, eka nadI hai aura dUsare kinAre para koI sundara nagarI basI huI hai| vikrama ne kahA-'devI lakSmIpura A gayA hai|' lakSmI ne nagarI kI ora dekhakara kahA-'nagarI sundara lagatI hai|' 'are! yaha nagarI bhI to tumhAre hI nAma para hai| tuma sundara ho to nagarI sundara kyoM na ho? acchA, hameM UMTa ko dhanyavAda denA cAhie....isane bahuta bar3A mArga taya kara liyaa|' ___ nadI A gaI....vikrama ne UMTa ko nadI meM utArA, nadI svaccha thii| vaha gaharI nahIM thii| sAmane eka AmravATikA bhI thii| UMTa ne nadI ko tairakara kinArA pA liyaa| donoM UMTa se nIce utare aura vRkSa ke eka jhuramuTa meM jA vizrAma karane ke lie baitthe| prAta:kArya se nivRtta hokara lakSmIvatI ne naye vastra phne| una vastroM meM vaha bahuta sundara laga rahI thii| vikrama ne kahA- 'devI! yaha sthAna abhaya hai, nirbAdha hai| maiM nagara meM jAkara bhojana sAmagrI le AtA huuN| yadi sthAna mila jAegA to hama nagarI meM cale jaaeNge|' ___ muskarAte hue lakSmI ne vikrama kI bAta svIkAra karate hue kahA-'kintu Apa adhika vilamba na kreN|' 'tuma nizcinta rhnaa|' kahakara vikrama apanI thailI lekara nagara kI ora cle| thailI meM svarNa mudrAeM, adRzyakaraNa guTikA aura eka gupta zastra bhI thaa| vikrama ko gae do ghaTikA bIta giiN| lakSmIvatI ke mana meM cintA hone lagI, vaha bAra-bAra khar3I hokara nagarI kI ora dekhatI, para svAmI ko Ate hue na dekhakara nirAza hokara baiTha jaatii| kintu sukha kA svapna sAkAra ho, usase pahale aneka ghaTanAeM ghaTita ho jAtI haiN| Aja prAta:kAla hI nadI ke kinAre vAle Amravana meM lakSmIpura nagara kI prakhyAta vezyA rUpazrI AyI huI thii| usane ina donoM-vikrama aura lakSmI-ko dekhA aura jAna liyA ki ye aparicita vyakti haiN| vaha luka-chipakara inakI pAsa vAlI jhAr3I meM Akara baiTha gii| usane sArI bAta jAna lI aura jaba vikrama bhojana lAne nagarI kI ora gae taba usake mana meM eka lobha jAgA ki yadi yaha sundarI mere bhavana meM A jAe to vahAM dhana kI varSA hone laga jaaegii| seTha, subhaTa aura rAjapuruSa isa nArI ke yauvana kA bhoga karane ke lie mere caraNa cUmane laga jaaeNge| 266 vIra vikramAditya

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lobha manuSya ke viveka ko lIla jAtA hai| rUpazrI tatkAla Amravana meM gaI aura apanI do paricArikAeM aura eka dAsa ko sAtha meM le lakSmIvatI ke pAsa aayii| aparicita vyaktiyoM ko Ate dekhakara lakSmIvatI khar3I ho gii| vaha kucha prazna kare, usase pahale hI rUpazrI ne madhura svara meM kahA- 'merA bhatIjA bahuta bhAgyazAlI hai...aisI patnI bhAgya se hI prApta hotI hai aura merA bhatIjA kitanA pAgala hai ki sagI buA kA ghara chor3akara bAjAra se khAdya-sAmagrI lAne gayA hai| pagalA kahIM kA ! acchA huA ki isake phUphA isako dekha gae aura unhoMne ghara Akara mujhe sArI bAta khii| maiM apanA kAma chor3akara tumhArA svAgata karane calI aaii| calo mere bhavana para aura pravAsa kI thakAna dUra kro|' lakSmIvatI isa kulaTA ke bhItara basane vAle viSa ko pahacAna nahIM paayii| nirdoSa manuSya sabako apane jaisA hI mAnatA hai| rUpazrI kI vAk-cAturI ke samakSa lakSmIvatI lAcAra bana gii| vaha apanI ratnapeTikA lekara buA ke pIche-pIche nagarI kI ora cala pdd'ii| unake dAsa sArA sAmAna UMTa para lAdakara rUpazrI ke bhavana kI ora cle| isa samaya vIra vikrama nagarI ke eka nAmI halavAI kI dukAna para khar3e garama pUrI taiyAra karavA rahe the| unako yaha kalpanA bhI nahIM thI ki lakSmIvatI eka vezyA ke jAla meM phaMsa jaaegii| 52. bhAgya kA khela rAjakanyA lakSmIvatI ko sAtha lekara rUpazrI ne apane bhavana meM praveza kiyaa| lakSmIvatI ne apanI mUlyavAna ratnapeTikA hAtha meM hI le rakhI thii| bhavana meM praveza karane ke pazcAt rUpazrI ne kahA- 'beTI ! yaha peTI mujhe de, maiM isako surakSita rakha duuNgii|' 'Apa isakI cintA na kareM.....mere svAmI kahAM haiM?' 'merA pAgala..... | cala mere sAtha, vaha apane phUphA se bAteM karatA hogaa|' kahakara rUpazrI lakSmIvatI kA hAtha pakar3akara sopAna para car3hane lgii| Upara kI maMjila meM pAMca-chaha kakSa the....cAra-pAMca paricArikAeM bhI thIM....lakSmI ne socA, buA sukhI aura samRddha pratIta hotI hai| eka kakSa meM praveza karane ke pazcAt rUpazrI ne pUchA- 'beTI! terA nAma kyA hai?' 'lakSmI....kintu ve kahAM haiM ?' vIra vikramAditya 267

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'tU ArAma se isa Asana para baiTha....maiM dekhakara use yahAM bhejatI huuN| terI peTI meM koI jokhima kI vastu hai-de, maiM saMbhAlakara use rakha duuNgii|' kahakara rUpazrI ne usake hAtha se peTikA khIMca lii| __ lakSmI avAk hokara usakI ora dekhatI rhii| rUpazrI ne jora se haMsate hae kahA-'lakSmI! tU vAstava meM hI rUpavatI hai| koI devaramaNI bhI terI tulanA meM nahIM A sktii| aba tujhe usa pAgala ke sAtha bhaTakanA nahIM pdd'egaa| yahAM tujhe svarga se bhI adhika sukha milegaa| naye-naye puruSoM kA manoraMjana karatI huI tU mere isa bhavana kI zobhA ko bddh'aaegii| tere caraNoM meM sone aura ratnoM ke Dhera lgeNge| terI AjJA mAnane ke lie merI sabhI dAsiyAM eka paira para khar3I mileNgii|' __ 'Apa yaha kyA kaha rahI haiM ? mere svAmI kahAM gae haiM ? aisA kahakara yadi Apa merI parIkSA karanA cAhatI haiM to kRpA karake Arya nArI kI maryAdA kA parihAsa na kreN|' bIca meM hI rUpazrI khilakhilAkara haMsa pdd'ii| usane haMsate-haMsate kahA'lakSmI! terA pati kauna hai, yaha bhI maiM nahIM jaantii| tere lie khAdya-sAmagrI lekara vaha becArA vahAM gayA hogaa| tujhe vahAM na pAkara vaha apane mArga calA gayA hogA athavA nagara meM kahIM bhaTakatA hogaa|' 'to yaha ghara kisakA hai?' 'lakSmIpura nagara kI prasiddha vezyA rUpazrIkA yaha bhavana hai| mere pAsa sAtaATha navayauvanAeM haiN| kintu unameM tere-jaisA teja, rUpa yA AkarSaNa nahIM hai, isalie maiM tujhe yahAM lAyI huuN|' 'cupa raha, kulaTA ! merI peTI mujhe sauMpa de| maiM apane svAmI ko svayaM DhUMDha luuNgii|' ___ rUpazrI aTTahAsa karatI huI bolI- 'aisA roba mata jmaa| eka bAta tu nizcita rUpa se jAna le ki aba tU isa khaMDa se bAhara nahIM niklegii| Aja rAta ko hI tere yauvana ko rasamaya banA duuNgii| yahAM ke nagarapAlaka kA yuvA putra terA khUba manoraMjana kregaa| tere caraNoM meM ratnAlaMkAroM kA Dhera lagA degaa| aba tU apane pati ko bhUla jaa|' 'maiM kadApi isa nindyakArya meM nahIM pdduuNgii|' 'lakSmI! sukha ke lie saba kucha karanA par3atA hai|' lakSmI bolI- 'maiM pativrata dharma ko prANoM se bhI adhika mAnatI huuN| maiM maranA pasanda karUMgI, kintu pativrata dharma ko nahIM chodduuNgii|' 'beTI! utAvalI mata bana! mAMgane se mauta nahIM milatI aura bhoga bhogane yogya javAnI meM mauta zobhA nahIM detii|' 268 vIra vikramAditya

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lakSmI kucha bole, isase pUrva hI eka dAsI ne Akara rUpazrI se kahA'madanakumAra Apase milane Ae haiN|' _ 'vAha ! yAda karate hI A gyaa| isakI umra sau varSa kI lagatI hai| pahale tU apanI nUtana svAminI ke lie dUdha aura miThAI le aa| maiM madana ke pAsa jA rahI huuN|' phira rUpazrI ne lakSmI kI ora dekhakara kahA- 'beTI! jisa laharI yuvaka kI maiM bAta kaha rahI thI, vaha abhI milane A gayA hai| tU kucha khA-pIkara svastha ho jaa| phira maiM usakA paricaya kraauuNgii|' ___dAsI bAhara calI gii| rUpazrI bhI khaMDa se bAhara nikalI aura dvAra para sAMkala lagAkara sopAna-zreNI kI ora calI gii| lakSmI asamaMjasa meM phaMsa gii| bhAgyavaza svayaM ke pAsa koI zastra bhI nahIM thaa| vaha vicAramagna hokara eka Asana para baiTha gii| vaha socane lagI, isa vipatti se kaise mukti pAyI jAe? mere juArI pati mujhe vahAM na pAkara nirAza ho gae hoNge| merI khoja karane ve puna: nagarI meM gae hoMge...aba maiM unase kaise mila pAUMgI? oha! bhAgya jaba viparIta hotA hai taba kaisI vipatti A jAtI hai ? aba maiM kyA karUM? yaha vezyA kisI bhI upAya se samajha nahIM rahI hai| eka bAra isake samakSa prArthanA karake dekha to lUM... isa prakAra lakSmI vicAra kara hI rahI thI ki dAsI dUdha aura miSThAnna lekara pahuMca gii| lakSmIvatI ne kahA- 'bahana! mujhe kucha bhI nahIM khAnA hai| yadi tere meM kucha karuNA ho to mujhe isa bhavana se bAhara nikalane kA upAya batA / maiM terA upakAra kabhI nahIM bhuuluuNgii|' ye zabda sunakara dAsI kAMpa utthii| vaha lakSmI ke cehare para ubharI dInatA ko spaSTa dekha rahI thii| vaha bolI- 'devI ! maiM eka dAsI huuN| kyA kara sakatI hUM? yadi Apako yahAM se nikalane dUM, to merI svAminI merI haDDI-pasalI tor3a degii|' 'to bahana ! mujhe eka churI lAkara de| maiM AtmahatyA kara isa pApagRha se chuTakArA pA luuNgii| bhagavAn tere para kRpA kreNge|' dAsI soca meM par3a gii| vaha bolI- 'devI ! eka kAma kreN| mujhe uttarIya se bAMdhakara, Apa yahAM se nikala jaaeN|' lakSmI ne dAsI ke uttarIya se usake paira bAMdha ddaale| dAsI bolI-'dekho, sAmane ke kone meM eka kapar3A par3A hai, use mere muMha meM DhUMsakara, mere hAtha bAMdha do|' vIra vikramAditya 266

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lakSmI ne vaisA hI kiyaa| phira vaha zIghratA se sopAna zreNI utarane lgii| usI samaya rUpazrI aura madanakumAra sAmane se Ate dikhAI die| madana cAra-pAMca sopAna car3hA thaa| lakSmI ko dekhate hI bolA- 'rUpazrI! pakSI bahuta sundara hai|| usI samaya lakSmIvatI ne use jora se lAta maarii| vaha saMbhala nahIM sakA, nIce gira pdd'aa| rUpazrI kA ceharA roSa se tamatamA utthaa| lakSmI bolI- 'mAM! maiM yahAM kisI bhI prakAra se raha nahIM paauuNgii| merI peTI meM amUlya ratna haiN| unakA mUlya karor3oM svarNamudrAoM meM hai| yaha peTI Apa rakheM aura mujhe 'kASThabhakSaNa' kA avasara deN| maiM apane zIla ko prANoM se bhI adhika mUlya detI huuN|' madana khar3A ho gayA thaa| usane rUpazrI ke sAmane dekhakara kahA-'rUpazrI! isa balA ko 'kASThabhakSaNa' karane de| yaha zira-zUla tere lie aneka kaThinAiyAM paidA kara degaa|' rUpazrI ne socA, isa yuvatI ko saMbhAlanA sahaja nahIM hai aura yadi mere bhavana meM AtmahatyA karegI to bhArI vipatti A jaaegii| vaha bolI-'lakSmI! kyA tU vAstava meM hI 'kASThabhakSaNa' karanA cAhatI hai?' 'hAM, mAM!' 'acchA, maiM tujhe acche vastra detI huuN| tUpahanakara taiyAra ho jaa|' phira madana kI ora dekhakara kahA-'kumAra! tuma vAdyamaMDalI ko bulA lAo-pAlakI to mere yahAM hai hii|' madana eka bAra lakSmI kI ora dekhakara calA gyaa| rUpazrI ne lakSmI ko nIce ke eka khaMDa meM biThAkara kahA- 'tUne kucha khAyA yA nahIM? 'nahIM, maiM kucha nahIM khaauuNgii|' 'acchA, tU mere sAtha vastragRha meM cala / tujhe jo vastra acche lageM, unheM pahana lenA, kintu eka bAra terI ratnapeTikA ko kholakara to dekha lUM', kahakara usane usI khaMDa meM rakhI huI ratnapeTikA bAhara nikAlI aura usa para baMdhI huI kauzeya kI DorI nikAlakara peTI kholii| peTI meM par3e ratna sUrya-candra kI taraha camakane lge| rUpazrI ne socA-lakSmI 'kASThabhakSaNa' kare, yahI hitakara hai| ye ratna taba mere ho jaaeNge| yaha socakara usane peTI banda kara Upara se DorI bAMdha dii| phira vaha peTI aura lakSmI ko lekara vastragRha meM gaI aura lakSmI se kahA- 'beTI ! jo vastra tujhe acche lageM, ve dhAraNa kara le|' 'mAM! mere ye pahane hue vastra acche haiN| dUsare ke dhAraNa kie hue vastra maiM nahIM phntii|' 270 vIra vikramAditya

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'nahIM, lakSmI ! maiM tujhe naye vastra duuNgii|' kahakara usane eka dAsI ko bulaayaa| dAsI ke Ane para rUpazrI ne dAsI se kahA- 'naye vastra kahAM rakhe haiM?' dAsI bolI- 'isa peTI meM naye vastra haiN|' rUpazrI ne lakSmI se kahA- 'aba to koI Apatti nahIM hai ?' 'nahIM....' 'taba maiM isa ratnapeTikA ko saMbhAlakara rakha duuN| tU vastra pahana le|' kahakara rUpazrI ne dAsI ko vahIM rukane kA saMketa kiyaa| divasa kA dUsarA prahara abhI cala rahA thA-eka pAlakI meM lakSmI baiTha gii| Age-Age vAdyamaMDalI.....pIche-pIche madana ke dvArA preSita vyakti aura anta meM pAlakI meM baiThI huI rAjakanyA, jisa para candana kA lepa zobhita ho rahA thaa| zobhAyAtrA choTI thI....para Age bar3hate-bar3hate loga isameM jur3ate ge| usa kAla meM yadi koI manuSya svecchA se jalakara maranA cAhatA to loga use zraddhA kI dRSTi se dekhate the aura phUloM se vardhApita karate the| yahI 'kASThabhakSaNa' kahalAtA thaa| zobhAyAtrA mukhya bAjAra se hotI huI rAjabhavana ke rAjamArga kI ora mudd'ii| zobhAyAtrA meM saikar3oM nara-nArI jur3a gae the| lakSmIpura kA rAjA rAjasiMha ratha meM baiThakara bhojana karane rAjabhavana kI ora jA rahA thaa| usane yaha bAta sunI ki koI navayauvanA kASThabhakSaNa kara rahI hairUpazrI vezyA kI vaha kanyA hai| rAjasiMha ko isa bAta para bahuta Azcarya huaa| usane yaha kabhI nahIM sunA thA ki rUpazrI ke koI kanyA hai| yadi ho to use kASThabhakSaNa kyoM karanA par3A? rAjasiMha ne ratha ko zobhAyAtrA kI ora le jAne ke lie khaa| usa samaya zobhAyAtrA rAjabhavana se Age bar3ha gaI thii| rAjasiMha vahAM pahuMca gayA aura ratha se utarakara sIdhA pAlakI ke pAsa phuNcaa| pAlakI para baiThI usa devakanyA jaisI kanyA ko dekhakara vaha avAka raha gyaa| usane pUchA- 'bahana! isa choTI avasthA meM tujhe 'kASThabhakSaNa' kyoM karanA par3a rahA hai?' 'duHkha kI pIr3A ke binA koI bhI vyakti apanA jIvana samApta nahIM krtaa|' 'tujhe aisA kauna-sA du:kha hai?' 'apane svAmI se maiM chUTa gaI huuN|' 'kahAM hai tere svAmI?' 'maiM kyA jAnUM? Aja hI ve isa nagarI meM Ae haiN|' 'bahana! maiMne to sunA hai ki tU rUpazrI vezyA kI kanyA hai|' vIra vikramAditya 271

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'pahale Apa mere eka prazna kA uttara deM / ' 'bola !' 'Apa kauna haiM ?' 'maiM isa nagarI kA rAjA huuN| kyA tUne apane pati ko khojane kA kucha prayatna kiyA hai ?' lakSmIvatI ne sira hilAkara kahA - 'nahIM' / rAjA ne kahA- 'to bahana ! itanI utAvala mata kr| pahale tU apane svAmI ko khojane kA prayatna kr| isa prakAra utAvalapana meM jIvana ko homa denA ucita nahIM hai|' zobhAyAtrA ruka gii| hajAroM nara-nArI ekatrita ho gae / lakSmI ne pAlakI meM baiThe-baiThe cAroM ora dekhA, para vikrama juArI dikhAI nahIM diyA / vIra vikrama to nagarI se garama bhojana, tAMbUla Adi lekara usa sthAna para gayA thA jahAM vaha lakSmIvatI ko biThAkara AyA thA, kintu vahAM koI nahIM thA -na lakSmI thI, na UMTa thA aura na sAmAna thaa| usane Asa-pAsa meM dekhaa| eka kisAna kA baccA dUra khar3A thaa| usake pAsa jAkara vikrama ne pUchA- 'yahAM eka UMTa aura eka strI baiThI thI - ve kidhara gae haiM, kyA tU jAnatA hai ?' 'jI hAM, ve to kucha hI samaya pUrva nagarI kI ora gae haiN|' 'nagarI kI ora ?' 'hAM, UMTa ko eka vyakti le jA rahA thA / eka vyakti aura do striyAM aura thiiN|' 'oha!' kahakara vikrama ne pUrI khAdya sAmagrI usa bAlaka ko de dI aura svayaM nagarI kI ora bhaagaa| usane socA, kyA rAjA candrabhUpa kA koI paricita mila gayA athavA koI duSTa vyakti lakSmI ko uThAkara le gayA ? vikrama nagarI meM phuNcaa| cAroM ora khoja karane lgaa| aneka vyaktiyoM se puuchaa| vaha apanI patnI ko DhUMDhatA-DhUMDhatA rAjabhavana kI ora bddh'aa| vahAM eka sthAna para bhIr3a ekatrita thI / usake mana meM kutUhala utthaa| vaha usa bhIr3a meM se rAstA banAkara Age jAnA cAhatA thaa| tabhI usakI dRSTi pAlakI para pdd'ii| pAlakI ke pAsa hI rAjasiMha khar3A thA / oha ! yaha to merA paricita hai| yaha eka varSa pUrva avaMtI AyA thA aura eka mAsa paryanta vahAM raha gayA thA / are, lakSmIvatI pAlakI meM kyoM ? 272 vIra vikramAditya

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vikrama cillAyA-'lakSmI! lakSmI!' lakSmI apane juArI pati ko cAroM ora khoja rahI thI-apanA nAma sunakara vaha cauNkii| AvAja kI dizA meM usane dekhA aura usake nayana-kamala vikasita ho ge| vikrama bhIr3a ko cIratA huA Age bar3hA, rAjakanyA ke pAsa Akara bolA-'lakSmI ! yaha saba kyA hai ?' rAjasiMha ne vikrama ko dekhate hI pahacAna liyA aura usake pairoM meM jhukatA huA bolA-'kRpAnAtha! Apa?' eka juArI ke pairoM meM nagarI ke rAjA ko jhukate dekhakara lakSmI Azcaryacakita raha gii| rAjA ne lakSmI kI ora dekha kahA- 'bahana! tere mahAn pati tujhe mila gae na?' lakSmI pAlakI se nIce utarakara vikrama ke pAsa A gaI thii| loga harSanAda kara rahe the, jaya-jayakAra kara rahe the| aura vikrama ne rAjasiMha ko gale lagA liyaa| rAjasiMha ne eka hAtha UMcA uThAkara kahA- 'bolo, mAlavapati mahArAja vikramAditya kI jaya!' logoM ne jayanAda se gagana-maMDala ko guMjA diyaa| rAjasiMha donoM ko sAtha le rAjabhavana meM gyaa| lakSmIvatI ne saMkSepa meM apanI rAmakahAnI sunaaii| yaha sunate hI rAjasiMha ne apane pratihAra ko AjJA dI ki rUpazrI ko tatkAla bandI banAkara kArAgRha meM DAla do aura vaha ratnapeTikA lekara aao| phira rAjasiMha ne donoM atithiyoM ko bhojana kraayaa| vikrama ko tatkAla vahAM se prasthAna karanA thA, para rAjasiMha ke Agraha ke kAraNa ve ATha dina taka vahAM ruke| lakSmIvatI ko apanI ratnapeTikA prApta ho gaI aura vIra vikrama ke kahane para rUpazrI ko bandhanamukta kara diyA gyaa| lakSmI ke harSa kA pAra nahIM rhaa| usake mana meM Ananda kA sAgara hiloreM lene lagA ki vaha eka juArI ko nahIM, kintu bhArata ke mahAn tejasvI aura yazasvI mAlavapati ko svAmI banA sakI hai| nauveM dina usI UMTa para pravAsa prArambha kiyaa| nagarI se ekAdha kosa dUra jAne para lakSmIvatI ne pUchA- 'mahArAja! Apane apanA mUla paricaya kyoM nahIM diyA?' 'priye! maiM tumhAre svabhAva aura sAhasa kI parIkSA lenA cAhatA thaa|' 'oha! isa parIkSAkAla meM yadi maiM kASThabhakSaNa kara letI to?' vIra vikramAditya 273

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'hamAre donoM ke bhAgya itane nirbala kahAM haiM?' 'svAmin ! yahAM se avaMtI kitanI dUra hai ?' 'bahuta dUra hai| lagabhaga eka mahInA aura laga jAegA....kintu tumhArI adhIratA kA Aja rAta ko hI anta A jaaegaa|' 'maiM samajhI nhiiN|' 'hama Aja rAta ko hI avaMtI pahuMca jaaeNge|' 'kaise?' 'kucheka bAteM jAnane ke badale mAnanA adhika zreSTha hotA hai|' aura eka madhyama gAMva ke parisara meM pahuMcate-pahuMcate saMdhyA kA samaya ho gyaa| donoM ne rAtrivAsa vahIM karane kA nirNaya kiyaa| ThIka madhyarAtri ke samaya vikrama ne apane mitra agnivaitAla ko yAda kiyaa| usa samaya lakSmIvatI gaharI nIMda meM so rahI thii| vaitAla upasthita huaa| vikrama ne saMkSepa meM use sArI bAta btaaii| prAta:kAla se pUrva hI vIra vikrama, lakSmI, UMTa aura sArA sAmAna avaMtI ke parisara meM sthita eka udyAna meM pahuMca gyaa| vaitAla mahArAjA vikramAditya ko dhanyavAda dekara adRzya ho gyaa| prAta:kAla huaa| cir3iyAM cahacahAne lgiiN| rAjakanyA lakSmIvatI bistara se uTha baitthii| vikrama jAgate hI baiThe the| lakSmIvatI ne pUchA-'Apa kaba jAga gae?' 'maiM pahale hI uTha gayA thaa| are, dekho to sahI, hama avaMtI kI sImA meM pahuMca gae haiN|' lakSmIvatI ne khar3e hokara nagarI kI ora dekhA....avaMtI ke gaganacumbI mahala dRSTigocara ho rahe the| sUryodaya se pUrva hI donoM UMTa para baiThakara rAjabhavana meM pahuMca ge| vizAla rAjabhavana....lakSmI apane bhAgya kI sarAhanA karane lgii| vikrama ne pUrNa ullAsapUrNa vAtAvaraNa meM lakSmI ke sAtha vidhivat vivAha kara use ardhAMginI bnaayaa| nagarI meM Ananda-maMgala barasane lgaa| ATha dina pazcAt vIra vikrama ne nAgadamanI ko rAjabhavana meM bulAyA aura use ratnapeTikA sauMpate hue kahA-'yaha rahI rtnpettikaa| aba paMcadaMDa chatra kA nirmANa kro|' 274 vIra vikramAditya

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nAgadamanI ratnapeTikA ko kholakara, ratnoM kI pUrI jAMca kara bolI'mahArAja! ye to chatra kI jhAlara ke ratna haiM....abhI paMcadaMDa prApta karanA zeSa hai|' 'to vaha kahAM milegA?' 'mahArAja! Apa sopAraka nAma kI nagarI meM padhAreM....vahAM somazarmA nAma kA brAhmaNa rahatA hai| usakI priyA kA nAma hai umaade| usakA caritra jAnakara Apa yahAM aaeN|' "kintu paMcadaMDa.......?' 'maiM jaisA kahUM vaisA Apa kareM....Apako saba kucha jJAta ho jaaegaa|' nAgadamanI ne khaa| vikrama ne mana-hI-mana sopAraka nagarI jAne kA nirNaya kara liyaa| 53. nArI kI lipsA sopAraka nagarI avaMtI ke uttara meM lagabhaga tIna sau kosa kI dUrI para thii| cAra dina bAda vIra vikrama apane parivArajanoM tathA maMtriyoM se AjJA lekara apane mitra agnivaitAla ke sahayoga se sopAraka nagarI kI sImA meM rAtri ke caturtha pahara meM pahuMca gyaa| agnivaitAla bolA- 'mahArAja! isa pravAsa kA kAraNa kyA hai?' 'paMcadaMDa kI prApti ke lie maiMne yaha pravAsa karane kA nizcaya kiyA hai|' vikrama ne khaa| 'oha! nAgadamanI ke kathanAnusAra ApakA puruSArtha cala rahA hai| isa kArya meM merA koI upayoga ho sake to...' ___ 'mitra! tumhArI sahAyatA ke binA maiM eka Daga bhI nahIM bhara sktaa| jabajaba AzyakatA hotI hai taba maiM tumheM yAda karatA hI huuN| isa kArya meM jaba-jaba AvazyakatA mahasUsa hogI taba-taba tumheM yAda karUMgA hii| maiM tumheM sAtha hI rakhatA, para abhI tuma navapariNIta ho, mujhe bhAbhI ke ulAhane kA bhaya lagatA hai| mujhe usake ni:zvAsa nahIM sunane haiN|' donoM haMsane lge| agnivaitAla vikrama kI anumati le adRzya ho gyaa| . rAtri kA cauthA prahara cala rahA thaa| maMda prakAza meM bhI sopAraka nagarI kI ramaNIyatA spaSTa rUpa se dRSTigocara ho rahI thii| __ pAsa meM eka svaccha saritA bhI bahatI thii| vikrama ne vahAM prAta:kArya sampanna kiyA aura prAta:kAla hone para vIra vikrama apanA thailA lekara nagarI kI ora cala pdd'aa| vIra vikramAditya 275

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nagarI meM praveza karate hI usane dekhA ki nagarI bahuta sundara hai| vahAM kI prajA bhI svastha hai| vIra vikrama eka pAMthazAlA meM phuNcaa| usa samaya usakA brAhmaNa veza thA, isalie pAMthazAlA ke saMcAlaka ne usakA sammAna - satkAra kiyA / pAMthazAlA meM bhojana-vyavasthA bhI uttama thii| vikrama ne bhojana kI sUcanA dekara thailA sAtha liyA aura nagarI ko dekhane prasthAna kiyaa| nagarI ke bAjAra svaccha aura sundara the / vahAM ke maMdira AkarSaka the| vIra vikrama ne pAMca svarNa-mudrAoM ko sthAnIya mudrA meM parivartita karAyA aura kucha sAmAna lekara pAMthazAlA meM A gyaa| bhojana se nivRtta hokara vIra vikrama nizcintatA se so gyaa| thakAna ke kAraNa use gaharI nIMda A gaI aura jaba vaha uThA taba aparAhna ho cukA thaa| usane pAMthazAlA ke saMcAlaka se jAkara pUchA- 'kyA isa nagarI meM somazarmA nAma kA koI brAhmaNa rahatA hai ?' 'hAM, mahArAja ! isa nagarI meM somazarmA nAma ke cAra-pAMca brAhmaNa haiM.... Apa kisa somazarmA ko pUcha rahe haiM ?' vikrama ne tatkAla kahA - 'jinake umAde nAma kI dharmapatnI hai.....' 'oha! ve to eka mahApaMDita haiN| unake ghara meM bar3I pAThazAlA calatI hai aura aneka vidyArthI unake ghara para rahakara hI vidyAdhyayana karate haiN| kyA ve Apake koI sage-saMbaMdhI haiM ?' 'sage-saMbaMdhI to nahIM.... kintu mujhe vedoM kI kucha Avazyaka jAnakArI karanI hai, isalie maiM unase milanA cAhatA huuN|' 'are, unakA ghara to yahAM se bahuta nikaTa hai..... Apa isa mArga se cale jAeM, * Age tIna galiyAM aaeNgii| dAyIM galI meM jAkara Apa pUcheM ki paMDitajI kI pAThazAlA kahAM hai, koI bhI batA degA / ' saMcAlaka ne kahA / vikrama apanA thailA pAMthazAlA meM rakhakara somazarmA se milane cala pdd'aa| kucha hI kSaNoM meM vaha eka bhavya makAna ke pAsa pahuMca gyaa| usa bhavana ke AMgana meM cAra-pAMca vizAla vRkSa the / vikrama andara gyaa| paMDita somazarmA apane nivAsagRha meM bAhara ke barAmade meM baiThe the| unake sAmane pAMca vidyArthI jamIna para baiThe the| vIra vikrama ne paMDitajI ko namaskAra kiyaa| paMDita ne isa navIna yuvaka ko dekhA aura AzIrvAda dete hue kahA- 'Ao bhAI ! kahAM rahate ho ?' 'maiM avaMtI nagarI meM rahatA hUM' - kahakara vikrama pharza para baiTha gayA / 'idhara yAtrA ke lie nikale ho ?' 'jI nahIM, kevala Apake pAsa hI AyA huuN| mere guru paMDita bhaTTamAtra ne mujhe yahAM bhejA hai / ' 276 vIra vikramAditya

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'paMDita bhaTTamAtra ! kyA ve avaMtI meM pAThazAlA calAte haiM ?' 'jI hAM! unhoMne mujhe sAmaveda sIkhane ke lie yahAM bhejA hai| mujha para kRpA kara Apa mujhe sAmaveda kA jJAna deN|' 'uttama! uttama.....sAmaveda ke gAyaka to mAlava aura gujarAta meM bhI aneka haiM.....! parantu tuma bahuta dUra se Ae ho| maiM tumheM nirAza nahIM kruuNgaa| tuma yahAM kahAM Thahare ho?' ___ 'maiM eka pAMthazAlA meM ThaharA huuN|' 'to tumheM yahAM AnA par3egA aura kama-se-kama chaha mAsa yahIM rahanA hogaa| yahAM tumheM bhojana bhI mila jaaegaa| nivAsa ke lie anya vidyArthiyoM ke sAtha rahanA hogaa|' 'maiM dhanya huA, paMDitajI!' kahakara vikrama ne somazarmA kI ora dekhaa| somazarmA kA ceharA tejasvI aura kapAla bhavya thaa| ve lagabhaga cAlIsa varSa ke laga rahe the| 'tumhArA nAma?' 'vallabha vikrm| 'nAma sarasa hai| tumhAre avaMtI ke rAjA kA nAma bhI vikramAditya hai| kyoM?' 'jI haaN|' 'acchA to tuma kala yahAM sUryodaya ke bAda tIna ghaTikA bIta jAne para A jaanaa| vahAM pAMthazAlA meM yadi suvidhA na ho to abhI tuma apanA sAmAna lekara A sakate ho|' 'jI! maiM kala hI Apake caraNoM meM upasthita houuNgaa|' usI samaya paMDitajI kI tIsa varSIyA patnI umAde khaMDa meM AyI aura svAmI ke caraNoM meM namana kara bolI- 'svAmI! Apake lie kyA bhojana banAUM?' . ___priye! mere lie koI vizeSa vastu banAne kI AvazyakatA nahIM hai| jo bhI hogA ThIka hai|' 'nahIM, prabhu! Apako bahuta zrama karanA par3atA hai| jo kucha Apako khilAne se merA mana kaise mAne? ApakI AjJA ho to Aja kSIramodaka bnaauuN|' somazarmA ne prasanna dRSTi se patnI kI ora dekhakara kahA, 'jaisI tumhArI icchA! priye! dekho, yaha eka naujavAna vidyArthI kala se apanI pAThazAlA meM aaegaa| yaha TheTha avaMtI se sAmaveda par3hane AyA hai|' umAde ne vikrama kI ora dekhA bhI nhiiN| usane mAtra itanA hI kahA, 'Apane naye ziSya ke lie nivAsa-sthAna kauna-sA rakhA hai?' vIra vikramAditya 277

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'tumheM jahAM yogya lage vhaaN|' 'acchA' kahakara umAde pati kI caraNaraja mastaka para car3hAkara zAMta bhAva se calI gii| vikrama ne dekhA ki umAde dekhane meM atyanta zAMta hai, kintu isakA rUpa ajor3a hai| isake zarIra ko vaya kA adhika sparza nahIM huA hai| dekhane vAle ko yahI lagatA hai ki yaha bIsa varSa kI yuvatI hai| phira vikrama somazarmA ko namaskAra kara vidA ho gyaa| dUsare dina vaha yathAsamaya apanA sAmAna lekara vahAM A phuNcaa| paMDitajI ne usake nivAsa kI vizeSa vyavasthA kii| sabhI vidyArthiyoM se vilaga usakA nivAsa thaa| vIra vikrama ne gurudeva kA hArdika AbhAra maanaa| somazarmA ne usake mastaka para hAtha rakhakara kahA, 'vallabha! sAmaveda kA prArambha dasa dina ke bAda hogA, kyoMki mahAjJAna kI prApti ke lie dina acchA honA caahie|' 'ThIka hai, gurudeva! Apake AzIrvAda se merA kalyANa avazya hogaa|' vIra vikrama ko paMDitajI kI pAThazAlA meM sthAna mila gyaa| use bahuta saMtoSa huaa| use sAmaveda Adi kucha bhI sIkhanA nahIM thaa| use to kevala umAde ke caritra ko jAnanA thaa| aura do dina meM vikrama yaha jAna sakA ki umAde kA AcAra eka pativratA nArI jaisA hI hai| vaha kisI ke sAmane UMcI najara karake bhI nahIM dekhatI thI, svAmI kI bhakti meM parama AhlAda kA anubhava karatI aura svAmI kI chAyA banakara rahatI thii| umAde kA vyavahAra uttama thaa| usa-jaisI svAmibhakti to bhAgya se hI dekhane ko miltii| kintu usakI AMkhoM meM koI jaaduuthaa| usake yauvana meM apUrva caMcalatA thii| aisA kyoM? vikrama ne mana-hI-mana socA, rAta ko jAgate rahane ke sivAya isa nArI ke caritra ko nahIM parakhA jA sktaa| isalie rAta ko sone kA bahAnA kara jAgate rahanA caahie| jahAM vikrama sotA thA, vahAM dUsare gyAraha vidyArthI aura paMDitajI bhI sote the| pAsa vAle kakSa meM umAde sotI thii| ___paMDitajI ke Azrama kA yaha eka niyama thA ki rAtri ke prathama prahara ke pUrA hote hI saba vidyArthI so jAeM aura rAtri ke cauthe prahara ke prArambha meM uTha jAeM aura pATha kI AvRtti kreN| ___paMDitajI bhI isI niyama ko pAlate the aura isalie ve vidyArthiyoM ke sAtha so jaate| 278 vIra vikramAditya

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rAtri ke dUsare prahara kI tIna ghaTikAeM bItI hoNgii| pAThazAlA meM nIrava shaaNti| sabhI gaharI nIMda meM so rahe the| kevala vikrama nIMda kA bahAnA kara jAga rahA thaa| acAnaka usake kAnoM se padacApa kA zabda ttkraayaa| usane dvAra kI ora dekhaa| usI samaya umAde khaNDa meM aayii| vahAM eraMDa tela kA eka choTA dIyA jala rahA thaa| usake mRdu-maMda prakAza meM bhI vikrama ne dekhA ki umAde ke zarIra para uttama vastrAlaMkAra zobhita ho rahe haiN| usake hAtha meM eka daMDa bhI hai| usa samaya vaha koI kAmaraMbhA jaisI sundara laga rahI thii| __umAde ne sabase pahale vidyArthiyoM kI ora dRSTi daudd'aaii| usane apanA daMDa Upara uThAkara paMDitajI para tIna bAra ghumaayaa| phira vaha bAhara nikala gii| vikrama bhI dhIre se utthaa| padacApana ho, isakA dhyAna rakhatA huA vaha khaMDa se bAhara aayaa| vikrama ne socA-yaha satI-sAdhvI dikhane vAlI nArI isa samaya kahAM jAtI hogI? isane itane sundara vastra aura alaMkAra kyoM dhAraNa kie haiM? kyA yaha apane priyatama se milane jA rahI hai? vikrama ke ina praznoM kA uttara kauna de? dekhate-dekhate umAde eka vizAla vaTavRkSa ke pAsa Akara khar3I ho gii| usane apane daMDa ko tIna bAra bhUmi para paTakA aura phira tatkAla vRkSa para car3ha gii| usI kSaNa vaha vizAla vRkSa bhUmi se uThA aura AkAza-mArga meM ur3atA huA adRzya ho gyaa| isa dRzya ko dekhakara vikrama ke mana meM bhArI uthala-puthala hone lgii| apanI zayyA para na jAkara vaha vahIM chipakara baiTha gyaa| mana meM jaba Azcarya jAgatA hai, taba nIMda kAphUra ho jAtI hai| pratIkSA karatekarate dUsarA prahara pUrA ho gyaa| rAtri kA tIsarA prahara bhI AdhA bIta gyaa| tabhI vikrama ne dekhA ki AkAza-mArga se vaTavRkSa nIce utara rahA hai| yaha dekhakara vaha tatkAla apanI zayyA para calA gyaa| umAde vRkSa se nIce utrii| vaha apane pati ke khaMDa meM aayii| pahale usane gyAraha vidyArthiyoM kI ora dRSTi ddaalii| phira apane svAmI para daMDa ko tIna bAra ghumAyA aura vaha apane khaMDa meM calI gii| umAde ke isa svarUpa ko dekhakara vikrama ke mana meM aneka prazna jaage| usane mana-hI-mana nizcaya kiyA ki vaha kala usake sAtha jAkara umAde ke caritra kI parIkSA kregaa| cauthA prahara prArambha huaa| sabhI vidyArthI jAga gye| vikrama bhI jAga gyaa| vidyArthiyoM kA madhura kalarava prArambha huaa| sarvatra saMskRta zlokoM kI AvRttiyAM hone lgiiN| vIra vikramAditya 276

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umAde bhI jAgRta hokara eka hAtha meM jala kA pAtra aura dUsare hAtha meM parAta lekara apane svAmI paMDitajI ke pAsa aayii| parAta meM svAmI ke caraNa rakha pAnI se dhoe aura namana kara caraNAmRta pI gii| __paMDitajI ne apanI satI patnI ke mastaka para hAtha rakhakara prasannatA vyakta kii| vikrama ne socA, kAminI kitanI daMbhI aura kuTila hotI hai| madhyarAtri meM zrRMgAra karake kahIM jAtI hai aura prAta:kAla svAmI kA caraNAmRta pItI hai! vAha re duniyA ! vAha re nArI! dUsarI raat| umAde ne svAmI kI caraNaraja mastaka para cddh'aaii| bhojana-kArya se nivRtta hone ke pazcAt umAde ne svAmI kI pagacaMpI prArambha kii| vIra vikrama guru ko namaskAra kara apanI zayyA para Akara sone kI taiyArI karane lgaa| aura sabhI vidyArthI so gae the| vikrama ne apane muMha meM adRzyakaraNa guTikA DAlI aura bichaune para koI so rahA hai, aisA dikhAvA kara vaha bAhara A gyaa| do ghaTikA ke bAda umAde uttama vastrAlaMkAra dhAraNa kara bAraha aayii| vikrama sAvadhAnIpUrvaka usa vaTavRkSa ke koTara meM jAkara baiTha gyaa| umAde vRkSa ke pAsa aayii| tIna bAra apanA daMDa pRthvI para paTakA aura vaha vRkSa para car3hakara AkAza-mArga se ur3ane lgii| ___ aura mAtra eka hI ghaTikA meM aneka vizAla saritAeM aura sAgara ko pAra kara vRkSa Age bar3ha gyaa| vikrama avAk banakara dekhatA raha gyaa| bilakula zAMta aura kAyara jaisI dIkhane vAlI nArI kA yaha kaisA sAhasa hai? isa rAtri ke ur3Ana meM bhI ise bhaya nahIM lagatA? aura vaha vaTavRkSa eka pahAr3I para utraa| umAde nIce utrii| vikrama bhI koTara se bAhara nikalA aura umAde ke pIche-pIche cala pdd'aa| adRzyakaraNa guTikA ke prabhAva se koI bhI deva-dAnava yA mAnava-use nahIM dekha sakatA thaa| calate-calate vikrama kA vismaya bar3hatA jA rahA thaa| yaha pradeza atyanta aparicita aura bhavya thaa| yahAM kA pavana bhI atipreraka aura mstthaa|| kucha hI kSaNa calane ke pazcAt eka vizAla maMdira dikhAI diyaa| maMdira meM sUrya jaisA prakAza thaa| umAde maMdira ke sopAna car3hane lgii| vikrama bhI usake pIche hI cala rahA thaa| maMdira ke dvAra khule the| umAde andara gii| vikrama eka ora gupta rUpa se khar3A raha gyaa| 280 vIra vikramAditya

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sAmane devI mAtA kI eka bhavya pratimA thI / pratimA maNiratna kI hone ke kAraNa usase sUrya jaisA prakAza bikhara rahA thA / vikrama ne aisI pratimA pahale kabhI nahIM dekhI thii| yaha devI kauna hogI ? yaha maMdira kahAM hai ? yahAM kyA hone vAlA hai ? mAtA kI mUrti ke samakSa hAtha jor3akara kahA, 'he nirjarA devI ! maiM Apake caraNakamaloM meM namana karatI huuN|' aisA kahakara usane eka stuti kA gAna prArambha kiyA / vikrama Azcaryacakita raha gyaa| maMdira ke vizAla sabhAmaMDapa meM cauMsaTha yoginiyAM aura bAvana vIra eka-eka kara Ae aura apane-apane Asana para baiTha gaye / vikrama kA Azcarya bar3ha rahA thA / umAde ne sabako namaskAra kiyaa| usI samaya lAla netroM vAlA kSetrapAla roSa bhare svaroM meM bolA, 'umAde! terI sAdhanA se prasanna hokara jaba maiMne tujhe sarvarasa daMDa diyA thA, usa dina tUne jo zarta kI thI, vaha yAda hai? usa bAta ko bahuta samaya bIta gayA / sarvarasa daMDa ke prabhAva se tU AdhI rAta meM apane premI ke pAsa calI jAtI hai, kintu hamAre lie bali kI vyavasthA karanA bhUla jAtI hai| isa prakAra vilamba karanA tere lie ucita nahIM hai|' kSetrapAla kI ora donoM hAtha jor3akara, mastaka namAkara, vinamra svaroM meM umAde bolI- 'kRpAlu! mujhe vaha zarta yAda hai| maiM eka kSaNa ke lie bhI nahIM bhUla pAyI hUM, kintu uttama lakSaNa sAle cauMsaTha puruSoM ko prApta karanA bahuta hI kaThina kArya hai| ApakI kRpA se aba cauMsaTha puruSa ekatrita ho gae haiN| aba maiM una cauMsaTha puruSoM ko cauMsaTha yoginiyoM ke lie bali rUpa meM de sakUMgI aura apane pati ko Apake lie arpita kruuNgii|' 'to phira vilamba kisalie ?' 'isIlie to Aja apane priyatama ke pAsa na jAkara Apa sabake darzana karane AyI huuN| Apa kaheM usa dina aura usa vyavasthA se maiM bali kI taiyArI karUM / ' 'to suna ! chaha dina bAda kRSNA caturdazI hai| usa dina rAtri ke prathama prahara ke pazcAt apane bhavana meM cauMsaTha maMgala karanA aura paiMsaThavAM maMgala apane pati kA krnaa| phira ina maMgaloM meM cauMsaTha vidyArthiyoM ko aura apane pati ko snAna - zuddha kara, kaNera kI phUla-mAlAeM pahanAkara biThAnA / pratyeka ke bhAla para tilaka karanA / pratyeka ke rakSA-baMdhana bAMdhanA aura sabake sAmane bhojana kA thAla rkhnaa| usa samaya hama saba adRzya rUpa se vahAM A pahuMceMge aura sabakA bhakSya le leNge|' vIra vikramAditya 281

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umAde bolI- 'deva! AgAmI caturdazI ke dina maiM jyoM-tyoM mAyAjAla bichAkara Apake kathanAnusAra kruuNgii| Apa usa rAta mere yahAM avazya padhAranA aura bali svIkAra kara mujhe mukta kara denaa|' yaha bAtacIta sunakara vikrama stabdha raha gyaa| oha ! yaha duSTa nArI kevala apane zArIrika sukhopayoga ke lie cauMsaTha vyaktiyoM kA balidAna karane ko taiyAra hai aura sopAraka nagarI ke manuSya isa nArI ko zreSTha satI mAnakara isakI pUjA karate haiN| umAde aura kSetrapAla kI bAta pUrI hote hI vikrama tatkAla lauTa gayA aura vaTavRkSa ke koTara meM chipakara baiTha gyaa| kucha samaya pazcAt umAde bhI A gii| usane tIna bAra daMDa bhUmi para paTakA aura vRkSa para car3ha gii| usI kSaNa vRkSa AkAza-mArga se ur3A aura jaba vaha paMDitajI ke AMgana meM pahuMcA, taba rAtri ke tIsare prahara kI tIsarI ghaTikA cala rahI thii| umAde vRkSa se utarakara sIdhI apane svAmI kI zayyA ke pAsa gii| sarvarasa daMDa ko tIna bAra ghumAyA aura phira apane khaNDa meM calI gii| vikrama bhI cauMsaTha vidyArthiyoM ke balidAna kI bAta socatA-socatA zayyA para karavaTeM badalane lgaa| usake mana meM eka hI prazna ghUmatA thA-isa nArI ke mAyAjAla se paiMsaTha AdamiyoM ko kaise nikAlA jAe? 54. caritrahIna umAde rAtri ke cauthe prahara kI AvRtti pUrI hone para paMDita somazarmA apane sabhI ziSyoM ke sAtha snAna karane nadI para ge| vIra vikrama bhI unake sAtha hI thaa| vaha paMDitajI se ekAnta meM bAta karanA cAhatA thaa| sabhI vidyArthI jaba nadI meM snAna karane utare, taba vIra vikrama ne paMDitajI kA hAtha pakar3akara kahA, 'gurudeva! mujhe Apase ekAnta meM bAta karanI hai|' 'avshy|' kahakara somazarmA nadI ke kinAre para khar3e eka vRkSa kI ora ge| donoM vRkSa ke nIce phuNce| paMDitajI bole, 'AyuSmAn ! tumheM kisa viSaya kI bAta karanI hai?' 'bAta karane se pUrva eka prazna pUchU ?' 'avshy....|' 'Apane kitane zAstroM kA abhyAsa kiyA hai ?' 282 vIra vikramAditya

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'aisA prazna kyoM karate ho? kyA mere zAstra-jJAna ke prati tumheM koI sandeha huA hai?' 'nahIM, aisA nahIM hai....maiM mAtra jAnanA cAhatA huuN|' somazarmA ne prasanna svaroM meM kahA, 'vatsa cAroM veda merI jihvAgra para sthita haiN| kAvya, nATya, rAjanIti, jyotiSa, arthazAstra, Arogya-zAstra, vyAkaraNa Adi sabhI zAstroM kA maiMne abhyAsa kiyA hai|' 'taba to bahuta uttama hai.....ApakI AyuSya-maryAdA kitanI hai, kRpA kara yaha btaaeN|' "isake viSaya meM nizcita rUpa se kucha bhI nahIM kahA jA sktaa|' 'yadi Apa AjJA kareM to maiM ApakI AyuSya-maryAdA para prakAza DAla sakatA huuN|' vIra vikrama ne gambhIra svaroM meM khaa| 'Azcarya! bolo, dekheM to....' 'gurudeva! Aja kRSNapakSa kI navamI hai| Aja se chaThe dina caturdazI hai| usa caturdazI kI rAta ko Apa aura Apake sabhI ziSya mauta ke muMha meM cale jaaeNge|' 'azakya....1 'paMDitajI ! maiM satya kaha rahA huuN| yadi Apa vizvAsapUrvaka merI bAta sunanA cAheM, aura mana meM hI use rakheM to maiM vistAra se Apako btaauuN|' paMDitajI baiTha gae aura bole, 'bolo, maiM nizciMtatA se sunuuNgaa|' vIra vikrama paMDitajI ke sAmane baiThakara bolA, 'mahAtman ! ApakI patnI satI-lakSmI haiM....kintu ve kevala daMbha karatI haiN|' kahakara vikrama ne gata rAta vAlI bAta saMkSepa meM sunA dii| paMDitajI avAka raha ge| svayaM kI patnI itanI duSTa hai, aisA ve svapna meM bhI mAnane ko taiyAra nahIM the| vallabha vikrama kI bAta bhI bahuta vajanadAra thii| use sunakara ve vicAramagna ho ge| __vIra vikrama ne kahA, 'mahAtman! ApakI patnI ne ApakI aura Apake sabhI ziSyoM kI bali dene kA nizcaya kiyA hai| yadi aisA nahIM hotA to maiM Apako yaha bAta kahatA hI nhiiN| maiM samajhatA hUM ki Apa apanI patnI ke bAhya AcaraNa se mugdha bane hue haiM aura Apa unake viSaya meM koI saMzaya bhI nahIM kara skte| abhI caturdazI ke bIca aneka dina zeSa haiN| merA anumAna hai ki ApakI patnI Aja apane yAra se milane avazya jaaegii| isalie Apa merI bAta kI parIkSA kara leM, phira hameM kyA karanA hai, isa viSaya meM soceNge| merA prayojana kevala Apako tathA Apake ziSyoM ko bacAnA hai|' vIra vikramAditya 283

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'tumhArI bAta kI maiM parIkSA kruuNgaa| maiM kisI ko isa viSaya meM eka zabda bhI nahIM khuuNgaa|' vikrama ne kahA, 'to Aja rAtri se pUrva Apa yaha bAta pracArita kareM ki Apa eka rAta bhara ke lie kisI gAMva jA rahe haiN| Apa mujhe sAtha lekara jaaeN| rAtri ke dUsare prahara meM hama bhavana meM lauTa AeMge aura kahIM chipa jaaeNge|' 'aisA kyoM ? yadi ghara para hI raheM......' bIca meM hI vikrama bolA, 'ApakI patnI Apako sarvarasa daMDa se nidrAdhIna kara detI hai.... phira Apa jAga nahIM paate|' 'ThIka hai / ' kahakara paMDitajI khar3e hue| sabhI ziSya snAna Adi se nivRtta ho cuke the| paMDitajI aura vikrama ne bhI snAna kiyaa| sabhI bhavana kI ora prasthita hue| ghara pahuMcakara jyoM hI paMDitajI apane kakSa kI ora gae, tatkAla umAde sAmane Akara vinaya-bhare svara meM bolI- 'prANapriya ! Aja Apako itanA vilamba kaise huA? ApakA caraNAmRta liye binA maiM dantadhAvana bhI nahIM kara sakatI, kyA Apa yaha bhUla gae ?' - paMDitajI ne madhura svaroM meM kahA, 'priye! satI nArI kA Adarza maiM kaise bhUla sakatA hUM ? kintu naye ziSya vallabha ke sAtha zAstra carcA karate hue kucha vilamba ho gyaa| vallabha bahuta tejasvI hai| mujhe pratIta hotA hai ki bhaviSya meM yaha sAmaveda kA mahAn gAyaka banegA / ' umAde ne prasanna dRSTi se svAmI kI ora dekhA aura caraNa dhokara caraNAmRta kA pAna kiyA, phira vaha daMtadhAvana karane anyatra calI gaI / paMDitajI ne socA, aisI sundara aura vratadhAriNI patnI meM kalaMka ho hI nahIM sktaa| jarUra hI vallabha ne koI duHsvapna dekhA hogaa| phira bhI paMDitajI ne yojanA ke anusAra parIkSA karane kA nizcaya kiyA / madhyAhna ke samaya paMDita somazarmA aura pAMca-sAta chAtra vRkSa ke nIce baiThe the| usa samaya pati ko vaMdanA karane umAde AyI / paMDitajI ne kahA, 'priye ! eka rAta bhara ke lie maiM tumhAre para sArI jimmedArI detA huuN|' 'AjJA kareM ..... / ' 'kucha samaya pazcAt mujhe yahAM se tIna kosa kI dUrI para caMdrapallI gAMva meM jAnA hai....mujhe vahAM eka rAta rukanA hai| prAta:kAla snAna Adi se nivRtta hokara lauTa aauuNgaa|' 284 vIra vikramAditya

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'svAmI ! Apake kArya ko saMbhAlanA mere balabUte kI bAta nahIM hai| kintu Apa jaba taka nahIM padhAreMge, taba taka maiM anna-jala bhI grahaNa nahIM kara sakUgI, isa bAta ko Apa yAda rkheN|' umAde ne khaa| vIra vikrama bhI vahAM baiThA thaa| isa strI kA yaha daMbha dekhakara usakA hRdaya Azcarya se bhara gyaa| paMDitajI bole, 'devI ! tuma svAmI kA viyoga kSaNa-bhara ke lie bhI sahana nahIM kara sakatI, yaha maiM jAnatA huuN| aise to maiM tumheM sAtha hI le jAtA, kintu itane sAre chAtroM kI nigarAnI tumhAre binA kauna kara sakegA?' 'svAmI ! Apa nizcinta hokara pdhaareN| ApakA smaraNa mujhe bala pradAna kregaa| kintu Apa akele na jAeM, sAtha meM eka ziSya ko avazya le jaaeN|' 'priye! vallabha bahuta vidvAna aura vinIta hai| maiM use hI sAtha le jaauuNgaa| usake sAtha zAstra-carcA bhI hotI rahegI aura mArga bhI sugamatA se kaTa jaayegaa|' umAde ne svAmI ke caraNoM meM mastaka namAyA aura tirachI dRSTi se naujavAna vallabha kI ora dekha liyaa| vikrama to eka bAlaka kI bhAMti zAMta baiThA thaa| aura kucha hI samaya pazcAt paMDitajI vIra vikrama ko sAtha lekara gAMva ke lie cala pdd'e| umAde kA mana nizcinta huaa| usane socA, Aja pUrI rAta apane priyatama ke sAtha bitA paauuNgii| rAtri kA pahalA prahara pUrA ho usase pUrva hI pIche ke rAste se paMDitajI aura vikrama-donoM andara pahuMca gae aura ghAsa ke eka Dhera ke pIche chipa ge| jaba sabhI chAtra prArthanA kara zayana ke lie apane-apane sthAna para cale gae, taba vIra vikrama ne kahA, 'gurudeva! usa sAmane vAle vaTavRkSa ke koTara meM Apa chipakara baiTha jAnA aura kisI ko patA na cale, isa prakAra apanI patnI ke pIche cale jaanaa|' umAde apane kakSa meM sAja-zrRMgAra kara rahI thii| paMDitajI lukate-chipate vaTa-vRkSa ke pAsa pahuMce aura vRkSa ke koTara meM zarIra ko saMkoca kara baiTha ge| abhI bhI unake mana meM yaha vizvAsa nahIM ho rahA thA ki umAde vaisI hai| unako vallabha kI bAta svapna ke samAna lagane lgii| ___ kintu jaba umAde solaha zRMgAra sajakara sarvarasa daMDa ko ghumAtI-ghumAtI vaTavRkSa ke pAsa AyI, taba paMDitajI kA vizvAsa DolA / kucha hI kSaNoM ke pazcAt umAde ne usa daMDa ko tIna bAra pRthvI para paTakA aura svayaM vRkSa para car3ha gii| vaTavRkSa tatkAla AkAza-mArga se ur3ane lgaa| vIra vikramAditya 285

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paMDitajI kA hRdaya atyanta vyathita ho rahA thaa| ve sAtha-sAtha Azcaryacakita bhI the ki jisa nArI ke vadana ko dekhakara yaha kalpanA bhI nahIM kI jA sakatI, aisI vratadhAriNI patnI kyA aisI kulaTA bhI ho sakatI hai? ardhaghaTikA meM vaTavRkSa eka choTe se upavana ke bIca sthita eka makAna ke pAsa utraa| umAde tatkAla vRkSa ke nIce utara gaI aura Asa-pAsa dRSTipAta karatI huI makAna kI ora bddh'ii| paMDitajI itane hatAza ho cuke the ki mAno unameM vRkSa-koTara se nikalane kI bhI zakti cuka gaI ho| itanA hone para bhI jyoM-tyoM zakti ko baTora kara ve bAhara nikale aura makAna kI ora dekhaa| umAde makAna ke dvAra para dastaka de rahI thii| ___ kucha hI kSaNoM ke pazcAt dvAra khulaa| eka puruSAkRti dikhAI dI aura umAde usake sAtha andara gii| makAna kA dvAra baMda ho gyaa| paMDitajI bhI AzcaryavimUr3ha hokara makAna ke pAsa ge| kintu andara kaise jAeM? kucha socakara ve eka dIvAra phAMdakara andara utare aura padacApa na ho, isa dRSTi se dhIre-dhIre Age bddh'e| isa bhavana meM koI dUsarA mAnava rahatA ho, aisA nahIM lagatA thaa| paMDitajI dhIre-dhIre eka UMce sthAna para cddh'e| unhoMne dekhA, eka khaMDa meM kucha prakAza hai| kintu usa khaMDa kA dvAra baMda thaa| paMDitajI ne dekhA ki koI vAtAyana khulA hai yA nahIM? eka vAtAyana khulA thA, kintu vaha itanA UMcA thA ki vahAM pahuMcakara andara dekha pAnA zakya nahIM thaa| __paMDitajI asamaMjasa meM par3a ge| andara patnI kyA kara rahI hai, yaha jAnane kI utkaTa icchA ko ve dabA nahIM sake, aura koI mArga bhI nahIM dikha rahA thaa| acAnaka unakI dRSTi dvAra ke eka chidra para pdd'ii| tatkAla ve dvAra ke pAsa gae aura usa chidra se bhItara kA dRzya dekhane lge| usa khaMDa meM prakAza phaila rahA thaa| sAmane palaMga par3A thA aura paMDitajI vahAM kA dRzya dekhakara stabdha raha gye| unake hRdaya kI dhar3akana bar3ha gii| umAde nirAvaraNa ho cukI thii| kAle raMga kA vaha puruSa bhI nirAvaraNa thaa| donoM eka palaMga para baiTha ge| eka thAla meM kucha khAdya sAmagrI par3I thii| ve eka-dUsare ke muMha meM kavala de rahe the| eka tripadI para maireya kA pAtra par3A thaa| miTTI ke do pyAle bhI rakhe the| khAte-khAte vaha puruSa bolA, 'umA! aba isa prakAra kaba taka calegA?' 'prANeza! aba adhika pratIkSA nahIM karanI pdd'egii| isa caturdazI kI kAla-rAtri meM mere pati aura sabhI vidyArthI sadA ke lie naSTa ho jaaeNge| phira maiM yahIM A jaauuNgii|' 286 vIra vikramAditya

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bhojana pUrA hone para usa puruSa ne donoM pyAle madirA se bhre| eka pyAlA umAde ke hAtha meM dete hue vaha bolA, 'priye! tU mujhe pilA aura maiM tujhe pilaauuNgaa|' donoM ne eka-dUsare ko madyapAna kraayaa| kucha hI kSaNoM meM donoM masta bana ge| paMDitajI kI dhar3akana bar3ha rahI thI-kyA merI patnI itanI kulaTA hai? oha! isakA satI kA abhinaya kyA mere vinAza ke lie hI thA? jo nArI svAmI kA caraNAmRta liye binA kucha khAtI-pItI nahIM, kyA vaha maireya pAna kara....| oha! paMDitajI ne dekhA-donoM ratikrIr3A kI taiyArI kara rahe the| paMDitajI ne socA, aba isa pApakRtya ko na dekhanA hI acchA hai| ve tatkAla mur3e aura jisa rAste se Ae the, usI rAste se calakara vRkSa ke koTara meM jA baitthe| paMDitajI ko mAno hajAra bicchuoM ne eka sAtha kATa khAyA ho, aisI pIr3A hone lgii| yadi vallabha ne yaha nahIM dekhA hotA to pAMca dina bAda merI aura mere sabhI vidyArthiyoM kI mauta nizcita thii| nizcita hI vallabha ne mere para parama upakAra kiyA hai| kintu aise badasUrata aura kAle-kurUpa vyakti para umAde mugdha kaise banI hogI? oha, nArI ke mana ko pahacAna pAnA bhagavAn ke lie bhI kaThina hai| nArI kaba, kahAM aura kyA karegI, koI nahIM jAna sktaa| maiM Aja taka umAde ko satI mAnakara aMdhA banA rhaa| isakA vrataniyamoM kA pAlana abhinaya-mAtra thA, yaha Aja spaSTa ho gyaa| isa prakAra asaMkhya vicAroM kI uthala-puthala ke bIca paMDitajI vRkSa ke koTara meM baiThe rahe....phira jAkara dekhU ki usa khaMDa meM kyA ho rahA hai? phira socAnahIM-nahIM....pApiyoM ke pApakarma ko kyoM dekhanA cAhie? yadi pApakRtya dekhakara maiM Aveza meM kucha kara baiThA to pAMca dina bAda Ane vAlI mRtyu Aja ho jaaegii| rAtri kA tIsarA prahara prAraMbha huaa| paMDitajI ne Asa-pAsa dekhA, kintu ve yaha nirNaya nahIM kara pAye ki yaha sthAna kyA hai ? kahAM hai? taba tIsare prahara kI ekAdha ghaTikA zeSa rahI taba makAna kA dvAra khulA aura paMDitajI ne dekhA ki donoM vRkSa kI ora A rahe haiN| paMDitajI akulAhaTa anubhava kara rahe the-kahIM mujhe ye dekha na leM? mere se koI AvAja na nikala jAe / manuSya ko mauta kA bhaya sabase dAruNa lagatA hai| kucha hI kSaNoM meM umAde apane premI ke sAtha vRkSa ke pAsa A gii| vidAI ke samaya usa premI ne umAde ko bAhupAza meM jakar3a liyA aura pAMca-chaha cuMbana lete hue kahA- 'umA ! kala maiM tumhArI pratIkSA kruuNgaa|' vIra vikramAditya 287

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'avazya, priyatama! tumhAre binA mujhe eka kSaNa bhI caina nahIM pdd'tii| maiM avazya AUMgI, kintu kala mRgamAMsa kA bhojana taiyAra kara rakhanA hai|' 'tujhe mRgamAMsa priya hai, yaha maiM jAnatA hUM, kintu Aja mujhe mRga nahIM milA, isalie kukkara kA mAMsa pakAyA thaa|' usake pazcAt usa puruSa ne puna: umAde ko cuumaa| umAde ne taba usa daMDa ko tIna bAra bhUmi para paTakA aura vaha eka huMkAra ke sAtha vRkSa para car3ha gii| vRkSa vAyuvega se AkAza meM ur3ane lagA aura vaha apane mUla sthAna meM Akara ruka gyaa| vIra vikrama eka sthAna para chipakara baiThA thaa| umAde ne nIce utarakara dekhA, abhI koI jAgRta nahIM huA thaa| vaha madamastI kI cAla calatI huI bhavana meM gii| apane khaMDa meM jAkara usane dvAra banda kara liye| paMDitajI vRkSa ke koTara se bAhara nikle| vIra vikrama unake pAsa aayaa| donoM dhIre-dhIre pichale dvAra se bAhara nikala ge| ve donoM gAMva ke bAhara eka maMdira ke barAmade meM jA baitthe| vIra vikrama ne pUchA- 'kyoM gurudeva! merI bAta para kucha vizvAsa huA?' 'vallabha ! tumane merI AMkheM khola dI....maiM tumhArA upakAra kabhI nahIM bhUla paauuNgaa| satI kA abhinaya karane vAlI yaha duSTA mAtra premI ke sAtha ratikrIr3A karatI hai| itanA hI nahIM, vaha mAMsa-madirA kA sevana bhI karatI hai|' paMDitajI ne jalate hRdaya se khaa| 'Apa yaha kyA kahate haiM? 'hAM, vallabha ! maiMne yaha saba apanI AMkhoM se dekhA hai| maiM tumhArI bAta ko eka svapna-bhrama mAnatA thA, kintu tumhArI bAta pUrNa satya niklii| aba batAo mujhe kyA karanA cAhie? 'karanA kyA hai? jo ho rahA hai use dekhanA hai aura caturdazI kI rAta ko eka yukti kAma meM lenI hai|' 'vallabha! abhI usa kAlarAtri meM pAMca dina zeSa haiM....isa bIca yaha duSTa nArI kucha kA kucha kara DAle to....|' __'yaha kucha nahIM kara sktii| yaha nIcI jAti kI yoginiyoM aura kSetrapAla ko saMtuSTa karanA cAhatI hai| Apa pUrNa nizcinta rheN| aisA vyavahAra kareM ki mAno kucha bhI na dekhA ho, na sunA ho / caturdazI kI rAta ko kyA karanA hai, vaha maiM bAda meM btaauuNgaa|' 'oha ! kintu aba maiM umAde ko kisa dRSTi se dekha sakU~gA?' 'gurudeva! Apa to vidvAn haiM, pAMDitya aura dhairya kI pratimUrti haiN| Apa yadi ghabarA jAeMge to ApakI patnI nIca aura ochI vidhAoM ke dvArA aghaTita ghaTita 288 vIra vikramAditya

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kara degii| Aja taka jo prema aura sneha Apa apanI patnI ke prati rakhate rahe haiM, usI prakAra kucheka dina aura rkheN| striyAM abhinaya meM kuzala hotI haiM, kintu puruSa unase bhI adhika catura hote haiN|' vIra vikrama ne khaa| 'tumhArI bAta sahI hai| maiM pUrNa sAvadhAna rhuuNgaa| aba hameM nagarI meM kaba jAnA hai?' 'sUryodaya ke pazcAt hama yahAM se cleNge| ApakI patnI pUche to Apa kaheMtuma annajala binA rahogI, isa kalpanAmAtra se maiM kAMpa uThatA hUM aura isIlie hama rAtri ke cauthe prahara meM hI vahAM se vidA ho gae the|' vaisA hI huaa| sUryodaya hue abhI ekAdha ghaTikA bItI hogI ki donoM ne bhavana meM praveza kiyaa| paMDitajI ne dekhA, sabhI vidyArthI jAga gae the| umAde ke khaMDa kA dvAra abhI banda par3A thaa| vikrama ne socA, ArAma se so rahI hogii| kucha samaya pazcAt umAde khaMDa se bAhara niklii| apane svAmI ko dekhakara vaha bolI- 'svAmInAtha!' 'priye tuma mere darzana kie binA anna-jala grahaNa nahIM karatI, yaha mere lie asahya hotA hai| hama isIlie jaldI Ae haiN| hameM abhI prAta:kArya karanA hai|' 'oha! svAmI! taba to Apa bahuta thaka gae hoMge....andara padhAreM, maiM telamardana kara duuN|' ___ 'nahIM, priye! annajala ke binA tuma bhI thaka gaI hogI-tumhAre smaraNa se mujhe zrama nahIM hotaa|' paMDitajI ne khaa| aura sabhI prAta:kArya meM juTa ge|' 55. kAlarAtri kRSNapakSa kI trayodazI A gii| vIra vikrama kI sUcanA ke anusAra paMDitajI sAvadhAna aura zAMta the, kintu unake hRdaya kI akulAhaTa vaisI hI thii| ve bAra-bAra socate, ucca brAhmaNa jAti aura UMce kula kI kanyA hone para bhI isameM ye duSTa saMskAra kaise A gae? madyapAna, mAMsabhojana aura vyabhicAra-ye tInoM narakagamana ke hetu haiN| ye manuSya kA patana karane vAle aura Atmabala ko kSINa karane vAle haiM, phira bhI umAde ko inameM kitanA rasa hai? isa rasa kI surakSA ke lie zAMta aura kRpAlu pati kI bhI hatyA karane ko taiyAra ho gaI hai| itanA hI nahIM, yaha nirdoSa cauMsaTha vidyArthiyoM kI bali dene para bhI utArU vIra vikramAditya 286

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ho gaI hai| isa nArI kI yaha adhama manodazA kaise huI hogI? maiMne to ise kabhI koI kaSTa nahIM pahuMcAyA, phira bhI isake prANoM meM aisI bhayaMkara agnikyoM sulaga rahI hai? aise vicAra Ate aura paMDitajI vallabha ke sAtha vicAra-vimarza bhI kara lete| prAya: carcA ke lie ve nadI-taTa para cale jaate| vIra vikrama paMDitajI ko dhairya baMdhAtA aura unake citta ko prasanna rakhane kA prayatna krtaa| kRSNA trayodazI ke dina jaba paMDitajI snAna karane nadI-taTa para gae taba vikrama ne caturdazI ko kyA karanA hai, yaha bhalI-bhAMti samajhA diyaa| paMDitajI ko kucha AzvAsana milaa| sabhI ziSyoM ke sAtha paMDitajI ghara Ae, taba umAde ne apane svAmI kA caraNAmRta liyA aura kahA- 'svAmI! mere para Apako kRpA karanI hogii|' 'priye! jahAM prema hotA hai vahAM kRpA kA koI prazna nahIM utthtaa| tumhArI icchA pUrI karanA merA kartavya hai| tumhArI jaisI satI-sAdhvI patnI ke dvArA hI merI itanI zobhA hai| bolo, tumhArI kyA bhAvanA hai ?' 'svAmina ! kala kRSNA caturdazI hai| usa dina merA vrata pUrA hogaa| yadi Apa mere para kRpA kareM to maiM vrata kI pUrNAhuti vidhivat kruuN|' 'priye! tumhAre vrata kI pUrNAhuti mere lie parama Ananda kA viSaya hai| tuma kaho to maiM do sau-cAra sau brAhmaNoM ko bhojana karAne kA prabaMdha kara duuN|' ___ 'nahIM, svAmI ! aisA vyartha vyaya apekSita nahIM hai aura maiMne yaha vrata Apake AyuSya-vardhana ke lie hI kiyA thA, isalie kala dUsare prahara meM mujhe Apake cauMsaTha ziSyoM ko bhojana karAnA hai aura Apa sabakI viziSTa prakAra se pUjA bhI karanI hai|' 'bahuta acchA! isake lie jo sAmagrI cAhie vaha maiM maMgavAkara tumheM de duuN| vallabha isa kAma meM bahuta nipuNa hai|' ___ 'to Apa kala saMdhyA ke samaya kaNera ke phaloM kI chiyAsaTha mAlAeM taiyAra krvaaeN| zeSa kArya maiM kara luuNgii| bhojana bhI maiM apane hAthoM se hI bnaauuNgii|' umAde ne khaa| vIra vikrama aura anya chaha ziSya vahAM baiThe the| unameM vikrama ke sivA koI isa mAyA ko nahIM jAnatA thaa| paMDitajI ne vikrama kI ora dekhakara kahA-'vallabha! kyA tuma kaNera kI chiyAsaTha mAlAeM prApta kara sakoge?' 'avazya, ApakI AjJA ke anusAra saMdhyA ke samaya maiM chiyAsaTha mAlAeM taiyAra rakhUgA / nadI ke kinAre kI eka puSpavATikA meM kaNera ke aneka vRkSa haiN| phira umAde se vikrama ne kahA- 'gurupatnI zrI! kaNera tIna prakAra kI hotI hai-lAla, pIta aura zveta / kauna se raMga ke phUloM kI mAlA taiyAra karAUM?' 260 vIra vikramAditya

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umAde ne vikrama kI ora dekhA / do kSaNa dekhakara bolI- 'lAla raMga ke phUloM kI mAlA..... l kintu ina do kSaNoM ke dRSTipAta meM umAde ke hRdaya meM eka kaMpana huA / yaha to ati suMdara, svastha aura priyadarzana naujavAna hai| aisA sundara naujavAna ghara ke AMgana meM AyA hai| ise maiMne pUrNa dRSTi se Aja taka nahIM dekhaa| aba kyA ho ? umAsvAmI ko namana kara bhItara calI gaI / aura nityakrama ke anusAra rAta ke dUsare prahara meM umAde vRkSa para baiThakara apane premI se milane calI gaI / vikrama aura paMDitajI ne usakA AkAzagamana dekhA / vRkSa ke adRzya hone para paMDitajI bole - 'vallabha ! kala kI yojanA ke pUrva hI isa duSTA kA anta kara deM to? maiM isa duSTA kA kAryakalApa dekha nahIM sakatA / ' 'gurudeva ! strI- - hatyA kA pApa kyoM liyA jAe ? pApI ko apane pApa meM hI tar3apanA par3atA hai / hamArI yojanA bahuta uttama hai / ' 'are vallabha ! hama palAyana kara jAeMge kahAM ? yaha apanI nIca vidyA kA prayoga kara hameM hairAna karegI / ' 'gurudeva ! Apa cintA na kreN| maiMne dekhA hai, isa gAMva kI nadI meM choTe-choTe vAhana calate haiM / maiM eka vAhana kA intajAma kara dUMgA aura hama saba usameM baiThakara dUra cale jaaeNge|' phira vRkSa ke Agamana kI pratIkSA na kara ve sIdhe apanI-apanI zayyA para jAkara so ge| caturdazI kI saMdhyA / vIra vikrama kaNera ke phUloM kI chiyAsaTha mAlAeM lekara A gyaa| usane do vAhana bhI nakkI kara die aura madhyarAtri ke pazcAt calanA hai, yaha bhI vAhana cAlakoM ko batA diyaa| mAtra do-do raupya mudrAoM kA kirAyA hone para bhI vikrama ne unako eka-eka svarNamudrA dI, isalie ve bahuta harSita ho ge| umAde Aja prAta:kAla se hI kArya meM vyasta thI / madhyAhnakAla taka usane uttama prakAra ke dravyoM se uttama modaka taiyAra kara liye the / usane phira bhavana ke AMgana ko sApha kara cauMsaTha vartula taiyAra kie aura bIca meM eka bar3A vartula banAyA - cauMsaTha vidyArthiyoM ke lie tathA apane pati ke lie| eka ora usane apanA Asana bichAyA aura usake sAmane eka paTTa para ur3ada, dhUpa, dIpa Adi rkhe| Aja umAde ke harSa kA koI pAra nahIM thaa| eka sAtha paiMsaTha vyaktiyoM kI bali dekara vaha apanI sAdhanA pUrI kara rahI thii| vaha apane yauvana ko rasamaya banAne vIra vikramAditya 261

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ke lie pati kI pUrI saMpatti lekara apane premI ke pAsa jAnA cAhatI thii| usake mana meM vallabha ke sAtha bhoga karane kI bhI lAlasA jAgI thI aura yadi yaha vicAra pahale AyA hotA to vaha cauMsaThave puruSa kI dUsarI vyavasthA kara letI, kintu aba bahuta vilamba ho cukA thA..... mana kI lAlasA ko mana meM hI dabA denI par3e, aisI sthiti thI / rAtri kA prAraMbha huaa| rasoI kI sArI vyavasthA pUrI ho gaI / rAtri ke prathama prahara kI tIna ghaTikAeM bIta jAne para umAde cauMsaTha vidyArthiyoM aura apane pati ko maMDapa meM biThAkara svayaM vastra-parivartana karane apane khaMDa meM calI gaI / pUrva nizcita yojanA ke anusAra vIra vikrama umAde ke Asana ke pIche khaMDa meM baiTha gayA thA aura jaba umAde vastra-parivartana karane gaI taba paMDitajI ne sabhI ziSyoM se kahA- 'mere priya ziSyoM ! tuma sabako maunabhAva se saba kucha dekhanA hai aura jaba maiM maMDapa kA tyAga karUM taba tuma sabako mere pIche-pIche cala par3anA hai|' sabhI vidyArthiyoM ne mastaka jhukAkara svIkRti dI / kucha hI kSaNoM ke pazcAt umAde vastra-parivartana kara A gii| usane sabhI vidyArthiyoM ke bhAla para kuMkuma kA tilaka kiyA aura kaNera ke phUloM kI eka-eka mAlA phnaaii| sabake sAmane eka-eka thAla rakhA aura usameM modaka, zAka, cAvala, dAla Adi ke kaTore rakhe / rAtri ke dUsare prahara kI eka ghaTikA zeSa rahI, taba umAde bolI-'svAmin! chAtragaNa ! Aja mere vrata kI pUrNAhuti hai| aba maiM apane isa dharma-saMgha ke sAtha Asana para baiThakara vrata kI pUrNAhuti kI ArAdhanA prAraMbha karatI huuN| jaba maiM ArAdhanA pUrI kara isa daMDa ko UMcA uThAUM, taba Apa saba bhojana prAraMbha kareM, taba taka Apa saba zAMta baiThe raheM / ' yaha sUcanA dekara umAde apane Asana para sarvarasa daMDa ko lekara baiTha gii| usane isa cAmatkArika daMDa ko nIce rakhA aura kaNera kI mAlA phnii| phira usane netra baMda kara cauMsaTha yoginiyoM aura bAvana vIroM ko AhvAna karane kI ArAdhanA prAraMbha kii| eka ora dhUpadAnI se dhuAM nikala rahA thA, dUsarI ora dIpaka kA prakAza phaila rahA thA / vIra vikrama ko yaha avasara ucita lgaa| vaha tatkAla maMDapa meM Akara khar3A huA aura umAde ke pAsa par3e hue sarvarasa daMDa ko uThAkara paMDitajI ko vahAM se cale jAne kA saMketa kiyA / 262 vIra vikramAditya

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tatkAla paMDitajI aura tirasaTha vidyArthI apane-apane Asana se uThe aura paMDitajI ke pIche cale ge| vIra vikrama ne apanA thailA vahIM rakhA thaa| use lekara vaha bhI unake sAtha ho gyaa| sabhI nadI kI ora cala pdd'e| umAde ne AMkheM kholiiN| sthAna ko rikta dekhakara vaha stabdha raha gii| usane socA, acAnaka yaha kyA ho gayA? usane apanA daMDa lene ke lie hAtha laMbAyA, kintu vaha cAmatkArika daMDa vahAM nahIM thaa| usakA hRdaya vyathita huaa| vaha Asana se uThe, usase pUrva hI cauMsaTha yoginiyAM aura bAvana vIra vahAM A phuNce| umAde ko akelI dekhakara kSetrapAla atyanta ruSTa hokara, AMkheM lAla kara umAde se bolA-'duSTA ! tUne hamArA ghora apamAna kiyA hai| aba tU hamArI bali ke lie taiyAra ho jaa|' umAde hAtha jor3akara gir3agir3Ae, usase pUrva hI kSetrapAla ne apanI divya zakti se usake zarIra kA sArA rakta cUsa liyA aura usI kSaNa umAde prANahIna hokara bhUmi para gira pdd'ii| bAvana vIra aura cauMsaTha yoginiyAM adRzya ho giiN| isa ora vIra vikrama sabhI ko sAtha lekara nadI ke ghATa para pahuMca gyaa| sabhI bhayabhIta the ki umAde apanI nIca vidyAoM kA prayoga kara sabako mauta ke ghATa utAra degii| sabhI vahAM khar3I do naukAoM meM zIghratA se baiThe aura kucha hI kSaNoM meM donoM naukAeM tIvra gati se calane lgiiN| vIra vikrama ko cAmatkArika daMDa kI zakti kI smRti huI aura usane mana meM saMkalpa kara tIna bAradaMDa ko nadI kejala meM pttkaa| vikrama ne yaha saMkalpa kiyA thA ki sau kosa kI dUrI para kisI bhI nagara ke ghATa para pahaMcA jaae| aura yaha saMkalpa sAkAra ho gyaa| donoM vAhanoM kI gati tUphAnI bana gii| naukA-cAlaka Azcaryacakita raha gae....mAtra ardha ghaTikA meM donoM vAhana zrIpura nagara ke pAsa vAlI saritA ke eka ghATa para pahuMca ge| vAhana kA mukhya cAlaka Akara paMDitajI se bolA- 'mahArAja! kisI ke koI coTa to nahIM AyI?' paMDitajI bole- 'nhiiN| are! hama kahAM pahuMca gae ?' _ 'mahArAja! ye donoM vAhana kisI taphAna meM phaMsa gae the| hama kahAM A pahuMce haiM, yaha to hama bhI nahIM jaante| isa ghATa ko dekhakara lagatA hai ki yahAM koI acchI nagarI honI caahie| Apa jaise dharmAtmA vAhana meM baiThe the, isalie saba baca gae; anyathA Aja sabakI mauta thii|' vIra vikramAditya 263

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paMDitajI ne pAsa meM baiThe vallabha kI ora dekhakara kahA- 'vallabha! hama mauta ke paMje se baca nikale haiM, aba hameM kisa ora jAnA hai?' vikrama ko saba kucha jJAta thaa| sarvarasa daMDa kA hI yaha sArA camatkAra thaa| vaha bolA- 'gurudeva! aba koI bhaya nahIM rhaa| aba hameM nagarI kI ora jAnA caahie|' vIra vikrama ne apanA thailA sNbhaalaa| sarvarasa daMDa usI meM rakhA thaa| sabhI nagarI kI ora Age bddh'e| uSA kA prakAza phaila cukA thaa| nagarI dUra nahIM thI....kucha dUra calane para eka ramya aura sundara upavana aayaa| vikrama ne kahA- 'gurudeva! yaha ramya upavana hai| yahAM hama saba vizrAma kreN| Apa saba prAta:kArya se nivRtta hoM, taba taka maiM nagarI meM jAkara bhojana kI sAmagrI aura kucha miSThAnna le aauuN|' 'vallabha! hama bhaya se nikala par3e the| sAtha meM kucha bhI nahIM le paae|' 'gurudeva! mere pAsa kucha svarNamudrAe haiM...Apa nizcinta hokara prAta:kArya prArambha kreN|' vikrama ne khaa| ___'gurudeva aura sabhI vidyArthI apane prANadAtA kI ora AbhArabharI dRSTi se dekhane lge| vikrama apane thaile ko sAtha le nagara kI ora claa| Asa-pAsa meM dekhatA huA vaha Age bar3ha rahA thA, kintu use koI mAnava dRSTigata nahIM huaa| usane socA, sUryodaya ho cukA hai....kyA nagarI ke loga abhI taka jAgRta nahIM hue haiM ? vaha calate-calate nagarI ke mukhya dvAra meM praviSTa huaa| vahAM koI rakSaka bhI nahIM thaa| usane socA, yahAM mAnava nAma kA koI prANI nahIM hai kyA? aisI sundara aura vizAla nagarI ko janahIna dekhakara vikrama ko bahuta Azcarya huaa| usake mana meM prazna uThA-aise kaise huA hogA? kisase pUchA jAe? bhojana kI sAmagrI kahAM se prApta karUM? isa nagarI kA nAma kyA hai ? nagarI kA rAjA kauna hai? kyA kisI zatru rAjA ne AkramaNa kara sArI nagarI ke logoM ko mAra DAlA athavA sabhI loga eka sAtha rogagrasta hokara mara gae? vIra vikrama Age calatA jA rahA thaa| calate-calate vaha rAjabhavana taka pahuMca gyaa| rAjabhavana ke dvAra bhI rakSakoM se zUnya the| vaha andara gayA isa AzA ke sAtha ki koI manuSya mila jaae| rAjabhavana kA mukhya dvAra khulA thaa| vIra vikrama usa virAT bhavana meM praviSTa huA aura usane jora se pukArA-'are! koI hai andara?' kucha bhI uttara nahIM milA....phira vaha UparI maMjila para gyaa| vahAM bhI aisI hI zAMti thii| sabhI kakSoM ke dvAra khule the| 264 vIra vikramAditya

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vikrama kA kutUhala bar3ha rahA thaa| vaha pAMcavIM maMjila para phuNcaa| vahAM usakI dRSTi eka baMda kakSa kI ora gii| usa para bAhara se sAMkala lagI huI thii| vikrama ne sAMkala kholI....kapAToM para dhakkA mArA...kapATa khula ge| andara kA dRzya dekakhara vaha cauNkaa| 56. vajradaMDa kapATa khulate hI vIra vikrama ne dekhA, usa kakSa ke eka kone meM bar3A palaMga par3A hai| eka SoDazI rUpavatI navayauvanA bhaya se kAMpatI huI usa palaMga se nIce utara rahI hai| vaha kakSa vizAla hai| palaMga svarNamaya aura ratnajaTita hai| aisA kyoM? isa vizAla bhavana meM yaha navayauvanA akelI kaise? vIra vikrama aMdara gayA aura bhayabhIta mRganayanI kI ora dekhakara bolA'yaha nagarI janazUnya kyoM hai ? isa rAjabhavana meM tuma akelI kyoM ho? tumako isa kakSa meM kisane baMdI banA rakhA hai ?' eka naujavAna priyadarzana puruSa ko dekhakara usa SoDazI ke vadana para khacita bhaya kI rekhAeM kucha phIkI pdd'iiN| vaha bolI- 'he narottama! Apa zIghra hI yahAM se cale jAeM, anyathA duSTa rAkSasa Akara Apako mAra ddaalegaa| he paradezI! isa nagarI kA nAma zrIpura nagara hai| isa nagarI ke rAjA vijayasena kI maiM ekAkI putrI candrAvatI huuN| mere karmadoSa ke kAraNa eka rAkSasa mere rUpa ke prati pAgala ho gayA aura usane mere sAtha vivAha karane kA prastAva rkhaa| usI ne isa nagarI ke sabhI logoM ko bhagA diyaa| mere mAtA-pitA bhI bhAga ge| mauta kA bhaya kise nahIM satAtA? rAkSasa ke bhaya se samUcI nagarI khAlI ho gii| manuSya to kyA, pazu bhI nahIM rhe| usa rAkSasa ne mujhe isa kakSa meM baMdI banA rakhA hai| usane mujhe eka mahIne kI avadhi dI thii| Aja avadhi kA aMtima dina hai| yadi kala usake sAtha maiM pANigrahaNa nahIM karUMgI to vaha mere sAtha balAtkAra karegA yA mAra ddaalegaa| Apa kRpA kara yahAM se bhAga jAeM, kyoMki rAkSasa ke Ane kA samaya ho gayA hai|' ___'rAjakanyA! tuma nizcinta rho| Daro mt| kala ke lie tumane kyA socA hai?' 'atyAcArI yAduSTa vyakti ke adhIna hone se mRtyu zreSTha hai| kala maiM AtmahatyA kara luuNgii|' 'aisI koI AvazyakatA nahIM hai| kyA tuma mujhe eka bAta batA sakogI?' 'puurch|' 'isa rAkSasa kI mRtyu kA upAya tuma jAnatI ho?' vIra vikramAditya 265

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'hAM, rAkSasa ne hI eka bAra mujhase kahA thA ki usake pAsa anaMtazakti vAlA eka vajradaMDa hai| vaha rAkSasa yahAM Akara sAmane par3e usa Asana para baiThatA hai aura asuradeva kI prArthanA karatA hai| usa samaya vaha apanA daMDa nIce rakhatA hai| yadi koI manuSya usa daMDa ko uThA le to usa rAkSasa ko jItA jA sakatA hai athavA use mArA jA sakatA hai|' 'totuma aba pUrNa nizcinta hojaao| maiM isa duSTa ko ucita zikSA duuNgaa|' rAjakanyA kucha uttara de isase pUrva hI dUra se eka aTTahAsa AtA huA sunAI diyaa| rAjakanyA tatkAla bola uThI-'Apa palaMga ke nIce chipa jaaeN| vaha duSTa A rahA hai|' vikrama palaMga ke nIce chipa gyaa| apanA thailA bhI usane saMbhAlakara rakha diyA thaa| usI samaya rAkSasa kakSa meM praviSTa huA aura bolA-'dvAra kisane kholA hai?' 'yahAM Ane kI himmata kauna kara sakatA hai ? Aja jaba tuma prAta: bAhara gae the, taba tumane hI dvAra khulA rakha chor3A thaa|' rAkSasa ne eka bAra sira ghumAyA, phira pUchA- 'mujhe isa kakSa meM manuSya kI gaMdha A rahI hai| kahAM hai merA zikAra, jaldI bola?' candrAvatI khilakhilAkara haMsa par3I aura haMsatI-haMsatI bolI-'tuma kevala zarIra se hI moTe-tAje ho, tumameM buddhi kA pUrA abhAva hai| isa kakSa meM maiM hI ekamAtra manuSya huuN| tumheM zikAra karanA ho to merA zikAra kara lo|' 'oha! tumhArA zikAra to kala kruuNgaa| kAyA kA nahIM, rUpa aura yauvana kaa| yAda rakhanA, nirNaya karane kA Aja aMtima dina hai|' yaha kahakara rAkSasa asuradeva kI ArAdhanA karane ke lie apane Asana para baitthaa| usane apanA vajradaMDa pAsa meM rakhA aura AMkheM baMda kara kucha gunagunAne lgaa| vIra vikrama isa avasara ko cUkanA nahIM cAhatA thaa| vaha tatkAla palaMga ke nIce se bAhara AyA aura zIghratA se vajradaMDa uThAkara bolA-'o duSTa ! utth| eka nirdoSa kanyA para apanI zakti kA prayoga karane vAle kAyara ! mere sAmane dekh|' rAkSasa kI ArAdhanA chinna-bhinna ho gii| usane vIra vikrama kI ora dekhaa| vikrama ke hAtha meM apanA vajradaMDa dekhakara vaha kSaNabhara ke lie kAMpa utthaa| vaha tatkAla bolA-'oha! mauta kA atithi banakara AyA hai ? mujhe lagatA hai ki terI mRtyu para ghara meM koI AMsU bahAne vAlA nahIM hai|' yaha kahakara rAkSasa uTha khar3A huaa| vikrama bolA-'o narAdhama ! maiM AyA hUM terI mauta banakara / maiM eka kSatriya huuN| sAmane vAle vyakti ko sAvadhAna kie binA prahAra nahIM krtaa| A maidAna meM aura yuddha ke lie taiyAra ho jaa|' 266 vIra vikramAditya

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ye zabda sunakara rAkSasa bhayaMkara aTTahAsa kara bolA-'zAbAza! khaTamala ke bhI mUMche A gaI lagatI haiN| are, tU merA daMDa mujhe sauMpakara ghara calA jA, anyathA cuTakI baje utane samaya meM maiM tujhe pIsakara khA jaauuNgaa|' 'yuddha ke lie taiyAra ho jaa|' kahakara vIra vikrama ne apane hAtha meM pakar3e hue vajradaMDa ko ghumaayaa| rAkSasa bhaya se kAMpa utthaa| usane vikarAla rUpa dhAraNa kiyaa| vIra vikrama khilakhilAkara haMsa pdd'aa| usako vajradaMDa kI zakti kA paricaya nahIM thA, phira bhI usane usa daMDa ko eka bAra bhUmi para paTakA aura rAkSasa kI chAtI dhar3akane lgii| vIra vikrama kI kaThinAI yaha thI ki usake pAsa koI zastra nahIM thaa| rAjakanyA ne vikrama kI kaThinAI bhaaNplii| usane apanI AtmahatyA ke lie chipAI huI talavAra gAdI ke nIce se nikAlakara vikrama kI ora pheNkii| vikrama ne talavAra thAma lI-eka hAtha meM talavAra aura dUsare hAtha meM vjrdNdd| __ rAkSasa ne bhI apanI mAyA se eka talavAra dhAraNa kii| vaha jora se huMkAra kara bolA-'are abhimAnI lar3ake! tU koI nayA khilAr3I lagatA hai| kyA tere koI ghara-bAra nahIM hai, anyathA tU mere sAmane talavAra uThAne kI himmata nahIM karatA!' _ 'o duSTa kAyara! pApI! abalA para julma karane vAle julmI! tujhe zarma nahIM AtI? lagatA hai tU mujhe nahIM jaantaa| maiM avaMtI kA vikramAditya huuN| kharparaka jaise devI-rakSita cora ko maiMne mArA hai| asura-devoM meM zreSTha agnivaitAla merA parama mitra hai| Aja maiM terA kAla banakara AyA huuN| tU aba mere sAtha lar3ane ke lie taiyAra ho jaa|' kahakara vikrama ne talavAra UMcI utthaaii| donoM ke bIca yuddha hone lgaa| rAkSasa apanA vajradaMDa puna: prApta karane kA bharasaka prayatna kara rahA thaa| vaha jAnatA thA ki vajradaMDa ke prahAra se usakI mauta nizcita hai| rAjakanyA candrAvatI eka rAkSasa aura eka manuSya ke madhya hone vAle yuddha ko kutUhala se dekha rahI thii| vaha Azcaryacakita thii| vikrama dAMva-peMca se rAkSasa ko chakA rahA thaa| anta meM vikrama ne usa rAkSasa ke mastaka para vajradaMDa kA prahAra kiyA aura usI kSaNa rAkSasa nirjIva hokara dhar3Ama se bhUmi para gira pdd'aa| vIra vikrama ne apane kapAla para chalakane vAle sveda binduoM ko uttarIya ke palle se poNchaa| rAkSasa ko marA jAnakara rAjakanyA bahuta harSita ho utthii| vaha bolI-'svAmI!' vikrama isa zabda se cauMka uThA aura rAjakanyA kI ora dekhane lgaa| vIra vikramAditya 267

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rAjakanyA bolI- 'mahArAja ! maiMne mana meM yaha saMkalpa kara rakhA thA ki jo vIra puruSa mujhe isa rAkSasa se mukta karAegA, usa vIra puruSa ke caraNoM meM maiM apanA sarvasva samarpita kruuNgii| Aja Apane mujhe mukti dilAI hai| Apa mere svAmI haiN|' vikrama bolA- 'candrAvatI! yaha tumane kyA kiyA ? mere bhavana meM aneka rAniyAM haiM aura maiM apane jIvana kI sadA bAjI lagAtA rahatA huuN|' candrAvatI prasanna dRSTi se vikrama kI ora dekhane lgii| vIra vikrama bolA-'tumhAre mAtA-pitA kahAM haiM?' 'yahAM se dasa kosa kI dUrI para sArasvatapura nAma ke eka nagara meM haiN|' vIra vikrama ne tatkAla apane mitra agnivaitAla ko yAda kiyaa| usI kSaNa vaitAla upasthita hokara bolA-'mahArAja! kyA AjJA hai?' vikrama bolA-'mitra! isa ora dekho|' agnivaitAla ne rAkSasa ke nirjIva zarIra ko dekhakara kahA-'mahArAja! Apane mahAn upakAra kiyA hai| maiM isa rAkSasa ko jAnatA huuN| kAladaMDa nAma kA yaha rAkSasa atyanta krUra aura nirdayI hai| vajradaMDa ko prApta karane ke pazcAt yaha devatAoM ko bhI parezAna karatA thaa| yaha navayauvanAoM ke zIla ko bhaMga karatA thA yA unako mAra DAlatA thaa| mahArAja, nizcita hI Apane mAnavajAti para mahAn upakAra kiyA hai|' 'mitra ! maiM apanA kartavya pUrA karatA hUM, kisI para upakAra nahIM krtaa| aba tuma isa rAjakanyA ke mAtA-pitA, dAsa-dAsI ko yahAM le Ao aura janazUnya nagarI ko puna: AbAda karane ke lie rAkSasa ke mAre jAne kI bAta prasArita kara do|' 'mahArAja ! maiM abhI ApakI AjJA kA pAlana karatA hUM, kintu mahArAja! Apa jisa prayojana ke lie nikale haiM, usakI siddhi.....' ___ 'hAM, mitra! do daMDa mila gae haiN| eka hai sarvarasa daMDa aura dUsarA hai vjrdNdd| tIna daMDa aura prApta karane haiN| AzA hai maiM apane prayojana meM saphala houuNgaa|' agnivaitAla tatkAla adRzya ho gyaa| vIra vikrama ne rAjakanyA kI ora dekhakara kahA-'candrAvatI! kucha hI samaya ke bAda tumhAre mAtA-pitA yahAM pahuMca jaaeNge| maiM pahale apane sAthiyoM ko yahAM le AtA hUM-rAjA kA atithi-gRha kisa ora hai ?' _ 'mahArAja! Apa apane sAthiyoM ke sAtha rAjabhavana meM padhAreM, kintu maiM yahAM akelI kaise raha sakU~gI?' vikrama ne haMsakara kahA- 'candrAvatI ! aba rAkSasa puna: jIvita nahIM hogaa| bhaya kisakA?' 268 vIra vikramAditya

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'svAmI!' 'cintA kA koI kAraNa nahIM hai| maiM AUMgA usase pahale tumhAre mAtApitA yahAM pahuMca jaaeNge|' kahakara vikrama donoM daMDa aura apanA thailA lekara claa| upavana meM paMDitajI aura sabhI vidyArthI vikrama kI pratIkSA kara rahe the| vIra vikrama ko khAlI hAtha Ate dekhakara paMDitajI uTha khar3e hue aura sAmane jAkara bole- 'kyoM, kyA huA ?' vikrama bolA-'gurudeva! nagarI janazUnya hai, phira bhI sthAna mila gayA hai| Apa saba mere sAtha nagarI meM caleM / maiM kucha hI samaya meM snAna Adi se nivRtta hokara A jAtA huuN|' aisA hI huaa| sabhI rAjabhavana ke vizAla atithigRha meM Ae, taba taka agnivaitAla rAjakanyA ke pArivArika janoM ko apanI daivI zakti se vahAM lA cukA thA aura vaha vikrama kI pratIkSA meM bAhara adRzya rUpa se khar3A thaa| __ jaise hI vikrama AyA, agnivaitAla Akara bolA-'mahArAja, rAjakanyA kA pUrA parivAra A gayA hai| dAsa-dAsI bhI A gae haiN| eka-do saptAha meM yaha nagarI pUrvavat ho jaaegii| aba koI dUsarI AjJA ho to...' 'Aja tumheM apanI priyA kA bhaya nahIM lagatA, kyoM?' _ 'hAM, mahArAja! abhI to maiM viyoga ke agnikuMDa ke pAsa hI baiThA huuN| cAra dina pUrva hI vaha apane pIhara gaI hai| vaha abhI vahAM eka mahInA rhegii|' __mitra! tumhAre viyoga kI pIr3A meM merI sahAnubhUti hai|' 'ApakI sahAnubhUti se mujhe zAMti milegI-kintu Apa jahAM jAte haiM, vahAM milana kI koI-na-koI kavitA nirmita ho hI jAtI hai|' _ 'kyA karUM? rAjakanyA candrAvatI bhI abhigraha kara baiThI hai| aba mitra! tuma eka kAma karo, paMDitajI kI patnI umAde kyA kara rahI hai, usakI khabara le aao| hama saba kSudhAtura haiN| isa nagarI meM kucha bhI milane vAlA nahIM hai|' 'Apa nizcinta raheM, sopAraka nagarI se hI miThAI le AtA huuN|' kahakara vaitAla calA gyaa| paMDitajI yaha bAta sunakara avAka raha ge| unheM pratIta huA, yaha vallabha koI asAdhAraNa puruSa hai| unhoMne vikrama kI ora dekhakara pUchA-'ApakA asalI paricaya.....?' 'Apa jo jAnate haiM, usase bhinna hI haM / maiM avaMtI kA rAjA vikramAditya haM aura eka vizeSa prayojana se Apake yahAM AyA thaa|' vIra vikramAditya 266

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'Apa svayaM vikramAditya! mahArAja! ApakI yazogAthA cAroM ora prasArita ho rahI hai| mujhe kSamA kareM, maiM to Apako eka saamaany...|' bIca meM hI vikrama ne kahA-'paMDitajI! kSobha karane kA koI kAraNa nahIM hai| maiM to Apa-jaise vidvAnoM kI caraNaraja huuN| Apa yahAM ArAma kreN| maiM yahAM ke mahArAja se mila luuN|' jyoM hI vikrama khaMDa ke bAhara Ae, usase pUrva hI nagarI kA rAjA aura usakI kanyA candrAvatI vahAM A phuNcii| rAjA vijayasena ne avaMtInAtha vikramAditya kA hArdika AbhAra mAnA aura aise duSTa rAkSasa kA aMta karane ke lie badhAI dii| isake pazcAt nagarI ke viSaya kI carcA karate-karate vijayasena ne kahA'mahArAja! Apako merI eka prArthanA svIkAra karanI hogii|' vIra vikrama samajha ge| unhoMne haMsate hue kahA- 'mahArAja! ApakA manobhAva maiM samajha gayA huuN|aapkaa anurodhasvIkAra karane meM mujhe aura koI Apatti nahIM hai, kintu merA anta:pura rAniyoM se bharA par3A hai aura merA adhika samaya bAhara hI bItatA hai| yadi Apa apanI kanyA kA sukha cAhate haiM to....' bIca meM hI vijayasena ne kahA-'mahArAja! merI kanyA ke saMkalpa ko Apane jAna hI liyA hai| aba koI saMzaya aura bhaya hai hI nhiiN| Apa jaise mahAn svAmI ko pAkara merI kanyA dhanya ho jaaegii| candrAvatI kevala rUpavatI hI nahIM hai, yaha vinaya Adi guNoM kI bhaMDAra bhI hai| yaha Apake jIvana meM kabhI bAdhaka nahIM bnegii|' vikrama ke lie aba koI dUsarA vikalpa nahIM thaa| usI samaya vaitAla miThAiyoM ke bartana lekara A phuNcaa| vIra vikrama ne vaitAla se kahA-'mitra! A gae ? batAo, paMDitajI kI patnI kyA kara rahI hai?' 'vaha to mRtyu kI bheMTa ho gaI....usakA abhI taka dAha-saMskAra bhI nahIM huA hai| bhavana meM paMDitajI kI patnI sUkhI lakar3I kI bhAMti par3I hai|' 'svayaM ke karma kA phala svayaM ko hI bhoganA par3atA hai| vaha duSTa nArI anta meM apane hI jAla meM phNsii| paMDita ne khaa| phira sabhI ne bhojana kiyaa| tIna-cAra dina meM hI nagarI ke loga Ane lge| dhIre-dhIre nagarI AbAda hone lagI aura chaThe dina paMDita somazarmA ne vIra vikrama aura rAjakanyA candrAvatI kA vivAha karA diyaa| rAjA vijayasena ne avaMtInAtha ko bahuta svarNa samarpita kiyaa| 300 vIra vikramAditya

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vIra vikrama ne apane sabhI sAthiyoM aura paMDitajI ko svarNadAna kiyA / tadanaMtara vaitAla ne paMDitajI aura unake tirasaTha vidyArthiyoM ko sopAraka nagarI meM pahuMcA diyaa| vaitAla kI daivI zakti se vIra vikrama kA pUrA rasAlA rAtri ke prathama prahara meM avaMtI ke rAjabhavana meM pahuMca gyaa| kamalA rAnI ne apane priyatama aura nayI rAnI candrAvatI kA bahuta bhAvapUrNa satkAra kiyA / kuladevI kI pUjana vidhi sampanna kara vIra vikrama ne sabhI rAniyoM ko ekatrita kiyA aura unhoMne do daMDa kaise prApta kie isakI saMkSipta jAnakArI dii| phira vikrama ne apanI rAnI devadamanI kI mAM nAgadamanI ko do daMDa - sarvarasadaMDa aura vajradaMDa-supurda karate hue kahA- 'aba zeSa tIna daMDoM kI bAta batAo / ' nAgadamanI bolI- 'mahArAja ! Apa ATha dina taka vizrAma kreN| phira maiM sArI bAta btaauuNgii|' usI rAta vaitAla apane sthAna para calA gyaa| ATha dina bAda nAgadamanI ne vikrama se kahA- 'kRpAnAtha ! Apake maMtriyoM eka maMtrI kA nAma matisAra hai ?' 'hAM / ' 'Apa usakI sArI sampatti jabta kara use deza nikAlA de deN|' 'aisA anyAya mere hAtha se ?' bIca meM hI nAgadamanI ne haMsate-haMsate kahA- 'Apako anyAya karane ke lie nahIM khtii| zeSa tIna daMDoM ko prApta karane kA hI upAya batA rahI huuN|' 'phira ?' 'phira Apa chaha mahIne yahIM rheN| maiM matisAra ke jAne ke pazcAt chaThe mahIne Apako bAta btaauuNgii|' nAgadamanI bolI / vikrama ke lie nAgadamanI kI AjJA mAnane ke atirikta aura koI upAya nahIM thA / dUsare hI dina usane matisAra maMtrI kI sArI sampatti jabta kara usako sAre parivAra ke sAtha dezanikAlA de diyA / loga isake kAraNoM se anajAna the, isalie vividha carcAeM hone lgiiN| mahAmaMtrI bhI isa Akasmika ghaTanA se stabdha raha ge| vIra vikrama ne kamalArAnI ko isa ghaTanA kI pRSThabhUmi samajhA dI thii| kamalArAnI ko saMtoSa huA / vIra vikramAditya 301

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kazmIra ke jisa mahAn zilpI ne battIsa putaliyoM vAlA siMhAsana banAyA thA, usane eka mAMtrika azva taiyAra kiyA thA, kintu vaha apane azva kI karAmAta vikrama ko batAe, usase pUrva hI usakA dehAvasAna ho gyaa| itanI rAniyAM hone para bhI vIra vikrama ke kevala sAta hI kanyAeM thIM, putra eka bhI nahIM thA / kintu unheM isa viSaya kI cintA nahIM thii| vikrama zAlivAhana kI putrI sukumArI ko bhUla hI gae the| yadi ve usakI khoja karate to unheM jJAta ho jAtA ki unakI priyatamA sukumArI kI goda meM chaha varSa kA putra bar3A ho rahA hai| 57. ratnapura meM matisAra maMtrI apane parivAra ko sAtha le par3osa ke ratnapura rAjya meM calA gayA; kyoMki vahAM usake pUrvaja rahate the aura usakA vahAM eka makAna bhI thaa| matisAra ke hRdaya meM eka prazna uThatA aura vaha sadA hI asamAhita rahatA / vIra vikrama ke dvArA aisA anyAya kabhI nahIM huA, phira bhI unhoMne merI saMpatti kA haraNa kara mujhe deza nikAlA kyoM diyA ? maiM apane kArya meM kabhI asAvadhAna nahIM rhaa| maiMne kabhI anyAya nahIM kiyA, phira bhI aisA kyoM huA ? maMtrI kI patnI buddhimatI, nipuNa aura zAMta thii| usane isa Apatti ko kisI karma kA phala mAnakara saMtoSa kara liyaa| kintu matisAra kI putravadhU ati nipuNa thii| vaha ratnapura kI thI aura usakA vivAha chaha mAsa pUrva hI huA thaa| vaha pazu-pakSiyoM kI bhASA bhI jAnatI thii| vaha bhI vikrama ke isa kArya kI pRSThabhUmi samajha nahIM pA rahI thii| usane yahI mAna rakhA thA ki rAjA, bAjA aura bandara kA kabhI vizvAsa nahIM karanA caahie| vaha putravadhU ratnapura Akara isalie prasanna thI ki vahAM apane mAtA-pitA aura parivAra ke nikaTa raha skegii| tisAra maMtrI kI umra lagabhaga cauvana varSa kI thii| unakI vahAM bapautI thI / makAna aura kheta the, isalie AjIvikA kI vizeSa cintA nahIM thI / kintu apanI pratiSThA ko AMca na Ae, isalie pArivArika - janoM ko yahI kahA thA ki ve eka varSa ke lie nivRtta hue haiN| eka dina nAgadamanI vIra vikrama se milane rAjabhavana meM AyI / vIra vikrama abhI anta:pura se Ae nahIM the| kamalA rAnI ne nAgadamanI kA bhAvabhInA svAgata kiyA aura use eka khaNDa meM biThAyA / lagabhaga eka ghaTikA ke pazcAt vIra vikrama A phuNce| nAgadamanI ko dekhakara unheM tIna daMDoM kI smRti ho AyI / 302 vIra vikramAditya

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nAgadamanI ne mahArAjA ko AzIrvAda dekara kahA - 'kRpAnAtha ! aba Apa ratnapura padhAreM aura matisAra maMtrI ko AdarapUrvaka bulA laaeN|' - 'devI! tumhAre kahane para maiMne matisAra maMtrI ko kaThora daMDa diyA aura aba use AdarapUrvaka le AUM; isameM zeSa tIna daMDoM kA kauna-sA rahasya chipA hai ? ' 'kRpAnAtha ! eka to bAta yaha hai ki Apa avaMtI ke nAtha haiM, mere dAmAda haiM, isalie putratulya haiN| Apase koI anyAya ho, yaha maiM svapna meM bhI nahIM cAhatI / aba ApakI jijJAsA ko zAMta karane ke lie rahasya batAtI hUM / matisAra mantrI kI putravadhU caMpakalatA rUpavatI, buddhimatI aura tejasvinI hai| vaha ratnapura kI hai aura usakI tIna sakhiyAM bhI vahIM rahatI haiN| ina cAroM meM apAra sneha hai| jIva eka hai, deha bhinna hai| caMpakalatA kA vivAha maMtrI putra ke sAtha ho gayA aura vaha yahAM A gii| phira tInoM sakhiyoM ke mAtA-pitA ne apanI-apanI putriyoM ke saMbaMdha ke lie prayatna prArambha kiyaa| tInoM sakhiyoM ne yaha pratijJA kara lI ki ve tInoM eka hI puruSa ke sAtha vivAha kareMgI, jisase ki ve pRthak na ho skeN| yaha bAta gupta rakhI gaI aura tInoM ne aise puruSa kI khoja prArambha kii| isIlie maiMne matisAra ko saparivAra vahAM bhejane ke lie Apase kahA thA, kyoMki yadi caMpakalatA vahAM calI jAtI hai to ve tInoM sakhiyAM koI prayatna nahIM kareMgI aura cAroM sAtha rahane kA Ananda bhI le sakeMgI / aba samaya kI maryAdA pUrNa ho cukI hai, isalie maiMne Apako vahAM jAne ke lie kahA hai| aba Apa vahAM jAeMge to sArI bAteM jJAta ho jaaeNgii| caMpakalatA kI tIna saheliyoM ke pAsa tIna daMDa haiM / ' vIra vikrama ne nAgadamanI kI ora prasannatA kI dRSTi se dekhA / nAgadamanI AzIrvAda dekara ghara calI gaI aura dUsare dina vIra vikrama mahApratihAra ko sAtha le ratnapura kI ora ravAnA ho ge| cauthe dina ve ratnapura kI sImA meM pahuMca ge| eka vRkSa ke nIce Thaharakara vIra vikrama ne mahApratihAra ajayasena se kahA, 'maiM isa vRkSa ke nIce vizrAma karatA hUM, tuma jAkara maMtrI matisAra ko mere Agamana kI sUcanA do aura unheM yahAM Ane ke lie kaho athavA unake bhavana kA mArga jAnakara lauTa Ao / ' 'jI' kahakara ajayasena ne apane azva ko nagarI kI ora bar3hAyA kintu vaha kucha hI dUra gayA hogA ki usane dekhA, sAmane se matisAra, usakA putra aura anya pAMca-sAta vyakti A rahe haiN| isalie vaha tatkAla mur3A aura vikramAditya ke pAsa Akara bolA, 'kRpAnAtha ! maMtrI matisAra aura kucheka vyakti idhara hI A rahe haiN| kyA Apane koI saMdeza bhejA thA ?' 'nhiiN| saMbhava hai ve kisI dUsare prayojana se jA rahe hoM / ' vIra vikramAditya 303

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kintu matisAra aura usake sAthI mahArAja vikramAditya kA jayanAda karate hue usI vRkSa ke pAsa A phuNce| ___matisAra ne apane priya mahArAjA kA kuzala-kSema puuchaa| vIra vikrama ne bhI sabake svAsthya kI jAnakArI lI, phira kahA- 'maMtrIjI ! maiMne to ajaya ko Apake yahAM sadeza dekara bhejA thaa| kyA Apa kisI dUsare prayojana se idhara Ae haiM?' 'nahIM, kRpAnAtha! maiM ApakA svAgata karane ke lie hI AyA huuN| merI putravadhU pakSiyoM kI bhASA jAnatI hai| usane Aja prAta:kAla zukavANI ke AdhAra para Apake Agamana kI sUcanA dI thii| usane yaha bhI kahA thA ki Aja Apa dUsare prahara kI tIna ghaTikA bIta jAne para yahAM A jaaeNge| isIlie maiN....|' 'oha! maiM to bahuta Azcaryacakita hUM'-kahakara vikrama ne apane maMtrI ke kaMdhoM para hAtha rakhakara prasannatA vyakta kii| ____ maMtrI ne vIra vikrama ko ghara para padhArane kI prArthanA kii| mahArAjA ne svIkRti de dii| phira sabhI nagarI kI ora prasthita hue| matisAra ne apane bhavana meM mahArAjA ke lie do khaMDa vyavasthita kie aura snAna Adi kI vyavasthA kii| rAtri meM vIra vikrama ne matisAra ko pAsa meM biThAkara kahA- 'maMtrIzrI ! maiM Apako sammAnapUrvaka le jAne AyA huuN| Apa apane mUla sthAna para A jAeM aura vahAM apane bhavana meM rheN| ApakI sArI saMpatti mere pAsa mUla rUpa meM surakSita hai|' 'kRpAnAtha! ApakI AjJA mere lie zirodhArya hai, parantu....' 'ApakI manovedanA ko maiM jAnatA huuN| maiMne Apako kisI doSa yA aparAdha ke AdhAra para nahIM haTAyA thaa| kucha apakIrti lekara bhI mujhe vaisA karanA par3A hai| usakA bhI eka mukhya kAraNa hai / maiM Apako avaMtI meM sArI bAta btaauuNgaa|' matisAra kucha samajhe nahIM, phira bhI eka AjJAkArI sevaka kI taraha bole'mahArAja ! mujhe atyadhika saMtoSa huA hai, kintu Apa yahAM padhAre haiM to itanI utAvalI ucita nahIM hogii| Apako yahAM kucha dina rukane kI kRpA karanI hogii|' __ 'maiM ApakI bhAvanA kA Adara karatA huuN| Apa jAnate hI haiM ki mujhe nagaracarcA ke lie ghUmane kA zauka hai, islie.....|' 'svAmI! Apa nizcinta hokara nagaracarcA ke lie nikaleM, mujhe koI Apatti nahIM hai|' Aja kI rAta vikrama ne vahIM vizrAma kiyA, kyoMki tIna dina taka unhoMne azva para pravAsa kiyA thaa| dUsare dina ratnapura ke rAjA ko vikrama ke Agamana kI sUcanA milii| ve tatkAla matisAra ke bhavana meM Ae aura vikrama tathA ajaya ko apane atithigRha meM 304 vIra vikramAditya

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le ge| mahArAjA vijayasiMha ne unake nivAsa kI samucita vyavasthA kI, sevA meM dAsa-dAsiyoM ko rkhaa| __matisAra bhI apane mahAn rAjA kI sevA meM A ge| vIra vikrama ko nagaracarcA ke lie yaha sthala bahuta hI anukUla lagA, kyoMki ve matisAra kI putravadhU aura usakI tInoM sakhiyoM kA parIkSaNa karanA cAhate the| rAtri ke prathama prahara ke pazcAt adRzyakaraNa guTikA muMha meM rakhakara vIra vikrama matisAra ke bhavana kI ora cala pdd'e| vahAM jJAta huA ki caMpakalatA apanI nanada, sAsa Adi strI samudAya ke madhya baiThI hai aura bAtacIta kara rahI hai| usakI tInoM sakhiyoM ke viSaya meM kucha bhI jJAta nahIM ho skaa| vIra vikrama idhara-udhara ghUmakara apane nivAsa-sthAna para Akara so ge| prAta:kAla zIghra hI jAgakara, prAta:karma sampanna kara vIra vikrama ne maMtrI kA veza dhAraNa kiyaa| yaha dekhakara mahApratihAra ajaya ne pUchA-'mahArAja! abhI aap.....|' 'ajaya! maiM eka prayojanavaza bAhara jA rahA huuN| bhojana ke samaya lauTa aauuNgaa| matisAra athavA rAjA vijayasiMha Akara pUche to kaha denA ki maiM bAhara gayA hUM-derI se lauttuuNgaa|' yaha kahakara vIra vikrama nagarI meM jAne ke lie mahala se bAhara nikle| jaba bhAgya kA yoga hotA hai taba puruSArtha ke pAMkheM A jAtI haiN| caMpakalatA ghara se bAhara gaI huI thii| jaba vIra vikrama usake ghara pahuMce taba kucha hI kSaNoM meM eka pAlakI meM caMpakalatA A phuNcii| pAlakI se utarate hI usane eka dAsI se kahA'tU harimatI ke ghara jA aura use yaha batA ki rAta meM maiM yahIM rukuNgii|' dAsI harimatI ke ghara kI ora ravAnA huii| vikrama bhI usake pIche-pIche cala pdd'e| harimatI kA bhavana nikaTa hI thaa| dAsI ne bhavana ke cauka meM khar3e rahakara pukArA-'harimatI hai?' 'aayii|' yaha zabda sunate hI dAsI vahIM khar3I raha gii| vIra vikrama bhI eka ora adRzya rUpa se khar3e raha gae the| harimatI ne Akara kahA- 'caMpakalatA kA saMdeza lekara AyI hai na?' ___ 'hAM, bahana ! ve abhI-abhI sasurAla se AyI haiM aura kala puna: lauTa jaaeNgii|' _ 'to tU caMpakalatA se kahanA ki hama tInoM sakhiyAM Aja rAta ko usake ghara aaeNgii|' dAsI vidA huii| vIra vikramAditya 305

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vIra vikrama bhI lauTe aura caMpakalatA ke ghara kI pUrI pahacAna kara apane nivAsagRha kI ora cale ge| ___ nivAsa-sthAna para pahuMcakara vIra vikrama ne apanA veza badalA aura baiThakakakSa meM A ge| mahArAjA vijayasiMha, matisAra Adi vahAM A phuNce| rAjA vijayasiMha ne aupacArika vArtAlApa ke pazcAt kahA-'kRpAnAtha! maiM ApakI chAyA ke nIce rAja kara rahA huuN| merI eka prArthanA Apako svIkAranI hogii| merI eka solaha varSIyA kanyA malayAvatI hai| vaha atyanta sundara aura guNayukta hai| isa kanyA kA hAtha maiM Apake hAtha meM dekara nizciMta honA cAhatA huuN| Apa mahAn rAjarAjezvara haiN| mujhe cintAmukta kareMge,yahI AzA hai|' vIra vikrama vicAramagna ho ge| kahAM paMcadaMDa prApta karane kI bAta aura kahAM vivAha kA prasaMga! oha ! maiM jahAM jAtA hUM, vahAM yahI bAta sAmane AtI hai| vikrama ne kahA- 'rAjan ! itanA Agraha hai to maiM ApakI bAta svIkAra karatA huuN|' rAjA vijayasiMha ne sagAI kI rasma pUrI kii| jaba malayAvatI ko yaha jJAta huA ki usakA vivAha avaMtIpati se hone vAlA hai to vaha bahuta harSita huii| usane socA, jinheM devakanyAeM bhI varamAlA pahanAne ke lie lAlAyita rahatI haiM, unakI vaha ardhAMginI banegI, isa vicAra se hI vaha romAMcita ho utthii| aura rAtri ke prathama prahara meM vIra vikrama adRzyakaraNa guTikA dhAraNa kara caMpakalatA ke pitA ke ghara kI ora nikala pdd'e| vIra vikrama jaba caMpakalatA ke ghara pahuMce, taba cAroM striyAM bhojana Adi se nivRtta hokara eka khaMDa meM baiThI thiiN| vikrama usa khaMDa meM gae aura eka kone meM khar3e raha ge| cAroM sakhiyoM meM caMpakalatA eka vaizya kI putrI thii| harimatI eka sArthavAha kI kanyA thI, vijayA eka mAlI kI putrI thI aura gopA kSatriya kanyA thii| caMpakalatA matisAra ke putra se vivAha kara cukI thI aura zeSa tInoM avivAhita thiiN| vikrama ne dekhA ki caMpakalatA kI tInoM sakhiyAM rUpavatI aura uttama svabhAva vAlI haiN| pratyeka ke nayanoM se pavitratA jhAMka rahI hai| AnandabharI vArtAeM cala rahI thiiN| harimatI bolI- 'caMpakalatA! kala tU hamAre sAtha clnaa|' 'kahAM?' 306 vIra vikramAditya

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'pAtAlaloka meM merI eka sakhI nAgakanyA rahatI hai| usake vivAhotsava meM bhAga lene jAnA hai|' harimatI ne khaa| _ 'sakhI, maiM kaise A sakatI hUM? hamAre yahAM mahArAja vikramAditya Ae haiN| maiM Aja yahAM bar3e prayatna se A sakI huuN| kyA tU vahAM akelI jAegI?' 'hama tInoM sakhiyAM jAeMgI, kintu yadi tU bhI sAtha calegI to bahuta Ananda aaegaa|' harimatI ne khaa| 'sakhI! maiM lAcAra huuN|' 'kevala eka rAta kI bAta hai| kala rAtri ke dUsare prahara meM nAgakanyA kA vivAha hogA, phira hama saba vahAM se nikala jAeMgI aura prAta:kAla hote-hote yahAM pahuMca jaaeNgii|' __ 'oha ! maiM apanI sAsa se prArthanA karUMgI, para mujhe AzA nahIM hai|' vijayA tatkAla bola uThI-'sAsa kA bahAnA mata kara, sakhI! tujhe tere svAmI kI AjJA nahIM milegI, yahI bAta kaha na?' 'isakA pati to itanA premI hai ki vaha isakI pratyeka AjJA ko sira car3hAtA hai, kintu pati kA viyoga isase sahA nahIM jaataa|' gopA ne khaa| sabhI sakhiyAM haMsa pdd'ii| rAjA vIra vikrama ne mahattvapUrNa bAta suna lI thI, isalie ve vahAM se cala pdd'e| vIra vikrama ne socA, ye solaha-solaha varSa kI sakhiyAM pAtAlaloka meM kaise jAeMgI aura vahAM jAkara kyA-kyA karatI haiM, yaha dekhanA to caahie| vIra vikrama ne calate-calate mana-hI-mana yaha nizcaya kara liyA thA ki ina sakhiyoM ke pAsa tInadaMDa haiN| unhIM ke prabhAvaseye pAtAlaloka meM jaaeNgii| nAgadamanI ne bhI daMDa kI bAta kahI thii| vikrama ke mana meM eka vicAra aura uThA ki yadi mujhe ye daMDa hastagata karane haiM to mujhe tInoM sakhiyoM ke pIche jAnA hI hogaa| kintu yadi ve mere sazakta zarIra ko dekha.... vIra vikrama inhIM vicAroM meM iThalAte hue apane nivAsa-sthAna para phuNce| unheM apane mahAn mitra vaitAla kI smRti ho AyI aura yaha nizcaya kiyA ki kala vaitAla ko yAda karUMgA aura rUpa-parivartana bhii| rAtri kA dUsarA prahara abhI pUrNa nahIM huA thaa| __ajaya pratIkSA meM jAgatA baiThA thaa| vIra vikrama ne adRzyakaraNa guTikA muMha se nikAlI aura ajaya ke samakSa Akara bolA-'kyoM ajaya! abhI taka jAgate baiThe ho?' vIra vikramAditya 307

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'hAM, svAmI ! ApakI pratIkSA kara rahA huuN|' 'mujhe kala saMdhyA ke samaya hI yahAM se bAhara nikala jAnA hai| yadi rAtabhara na AUM to cintA mata krnaa| saMbhava hai do dina adhika bhI laga jaaeN|' 'kintu mahArAja! jo vyakti Apase milane AeMge, unheM maiM....' 'koI bhI uttara de denaa| kintu kala to mujhe jAnA hI hogaa| parasoM savere taka lauTa Ane kA prayatna karUMgA, phira bhI yadi ruka jAUM to....' ajaya vikramAditya kI ora dekhane lgaa| vaha mahArAjA ke prayojana se sarvathA ajAna thaa| 58. puruSArtha kA phala vIra vikrama ke sAtha malayAvatI kI sagAI ho jAne ke kAraNa Aja rAjabhavana meM bhojana kA bhavya samAroha Ayojita thaa| mahArAjA vikramAditya, maMtrI matisAra, ajayasena Adi vahAM Ae the aura bhojana se nivRtta hokara puna: apane-apane AvAsa kI ora cale gae the| vIra vikrama ne do dina ke alpa pravAsa para jAne kI bAta kahI thii| matisAra ko Azcarya huA aura usane pUchA- 'kRpAnAtha! Apa kisa ora jAnA cAhate haiM ?' 'maMtrIzrI ! maiM kahIM jAnA nahIM caahtaa| kevala milane ke lie Ane vAloM se bacane ke lie maiMne yaha bahAnA kiyA hai|' matisAra bolA- 'ThIka hai, jaisI ApakI icchaa|' vIra vikrama apane zayanakakSa meM ge| unheM taiyArI karanI thii| saMdhyA ke pazcAt tInoM sakhiyAM pAtAlaloka ke lie prasthAna karane vAlI thiiN| aura svayaM ko pAtAlaloka meM jAne ke lie apane parama mitra vaitAla kI sahAyatA lenA anivArya thaa| zayanakakSa kA dvAra banda kara vikrama ne agnivaitAla kA smaraNa kiyaa| kucha hI kSaNoM ke pazcAt vaitAla upasthita huaa| vikrama ne usakA hAtha pakar3ate hue kahA'kyoM mitra! gharavAlI to kuzala hai na?' 'hAM, mahArAja! kintu Aja se hI viyAga kA gAna prArambha ho gayA hai|' 'kyoM?' 'vaha Aja hI apane mAtA-pitA ke sAtha yAtrA para gaI hai| mAnavaloka aura devaloka ke sabhI tIrthoM ke darzana karane kI icchA se usake mAtA-pitA use sAtha le gae haiN|' 308 vIra vikramAditya

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'yaha to acchA kArya hai| tuma sAtha nahIM gae ?' 'nahIM, mahArAja! priyA sAtha meM ho aura pala-pala usake lie tarasanA par3e, isase to viyoga kA saMgIta hI acchA hai| eka bAta aura hai, hamArI jAti meM dAmAda ko sAtha meM nahIM rakhate / ' 'mitra ! mujhe tumheM bAra-bAra parezAna karanA par3atA hai .... / ' 'maiM ApakA AbhAra mAnatA hUM', bIca meM hI vaitAla prasanna svara meM bola uThA - 'mahArAja ! ApakI mitratA ne mujhameM dharma meM ruci paidA kI hai aura vizeSa bAta yaha hai ki Apake kArya meM sahayogI banane meM mujhe bahuta Ananda milatA hai / kyA AjJA hai ?' 'mujhe do daMDa prApta ho cuke haiM, yaha tuma jAnate ho| yahAM se tIna daMDa mujhe aura prApta ho sakate haiM aura Aja saMdhyA ke pazcAt hameM usa dizA meM prayatna karanA hai', kahakara vIra vikrama ne caMpakalatA aura usakI tInoM sakhiyoM kI bAta saMkSepa meM kaha sunAI / 'yaha to bahuta uttama kArya hai| maiM Apako pAtAlaloka meM le cluuNgaa|' 'tuma mere sAtha adRzya rUpa meM rahanA / tumheM merA rUpa badala denA pdd'egaa|' 'yaha to sahaja kArya hai / ' 'to tuma mujhe bAraha varSa kA bAlaka banA do / ' 'abhI?' 'hAM, phira hama yahAM se vidA hoNge|' vaitAla ne tatkAla vIra vikrama ko bAraha varSa kA bAlaka banA diyaa| phira donoM harimatI ke ghara ge| khoja karane para jJAta huA ki caMpakalatA vahAM upasthita nahIM hai, zeSa tInoM sakhiyAM vahAM ekatrita ho gaI haiM aura pAtAlaloka meM jAne kI taiyArI kara rahI haiN|' harimatI ke pAsa bhUmi - visphoTa daMDa thA / gopA ke pAsa viSApahara daMDa thaa| vijayA ke pAsa maNi daMDa thA / tInoM sakhiyAM ghara se bAhara nikliiN| mAlI kI kanyA vijayA ne nAgaloka ke vivAhotsava para bheMTa dene ke lie uttama puSpoM kI aneka mAlAeM, gajare Adi se eka karaMDaka bharakara sAtha meM le liyaa| vaha kucha bhArI ho gayA thaa| usane apane kaMdhoM para rakhakara vahAM se prasthAna kiyA aura apane mohalle se bAhara nikalakara kahA-' - 'hameM sabase pahale sarovara ke pAsa jAnA hogaa| vahAM se pAtAlaloka kA mArga nikaTa par3egA aura hama tInoM ko snAna - zuddha honA hogA / ' vIra vikramAditya 306

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harimatI bolI- 'isameM hameM koI Apatti nahIM hai|' 'kintu isa bhArI karaMDaka ko sAtha kaise le caleMge? yadi koI bAla-sevaka mila jAe to acchA ho|' use baTuka rUpa meM vikrama pIche-pIche AtA huA dikhAI diyaa| usakA rUpa eka daridra lar3ake jaisA thaa| vijayA ne pUchA-'o lar3ake! hamAre sAtha isa karaMDaka ko uThAkara calegA?' 'hAM, devii|' "kitanI majadUrI legA?' 'jo bhI Apa deNgii|' bAlaka vezadhArI vikrama ne khaa| vijayA ne tatkAla usake sira para karaMDaka rakha diyA aura tInoM sakhiyAM sarovara kI ora cala pdd'iiN| vaitAla bhI adRzya rUpa meM sAtha hI thaa| ekAdha ghaTikA ke bAda ve sarovara para phuNciiN| eka vRkSa ke pAsa jAkara harimatI ne apanA bhUmi-visphoTa daMDa dharatI para paTakA aura taba pAtAlaloka meM jAne kA mArga khula gyaa| vijayA ne baTuka ke sira se karaMDaka nIce utArate hue kahA- 'o lar3ake! tU isa karaMDaka ko saMbhAlakara kucha dera yahAM tthhr| hama saba snAna kara A rahI haiN|' 'acchA, devI!' kahakara vikrama vahAM baiTha gyaa| harimatI, vijayA aura gopA ne apanA-apanA daMDa karaMDaka para rakha diyA aura lar3ake se kahA- 'dekha, inako bhI saMbhAlakara rkhnaa|' 'jI!' vikrama bolaa| tInoM sakhiyAM bAteM karatI-karatI sarovara ke pAla kI ora giiN| adRzya vaitAla ne kahA- 'mahArAja! tInoM daMDa lekara hama bhI pAtAlaloka meM cleN|' vikrama ne tInoM daMDa le liye| vaitAla ne karaMDaka saMbhAlA aura donoM pAtAlaloka meM jAne ke lie bar3e mArga meM praviSTa hue| vaitAla kI zakti aura bhUmi-visphoTa daMDa ke prabhAva se donoM kucha hI samaya meM pAtAlaloka meM pahuMca ge| ___ pAtAlaloka meM eka nAgakumAra kA vivAha hone vAlA thA, isalie vara kI zobhAyAtrA ke lie bahuta taiyAriyAM ho rahI thiiN| yaha dekhakara vaitAla bolA- 'mahArAja! tInoM sakhiyAM yahAM pahuMca jaaeNgii| yadi Apa nAgakumAra banakara usakA sthAna le leM to.....|' 'kintu kaise?' 310 vIra vikramAditya

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'yaha vyavasthA maiM karatA hUM.. nAgakumAra ke rUpa meM badala duuNgaa|' .... maiM nAgakumAra ko chipA dUMgA aura Apako vikrama ne svIkRti dI aura tInoM daMDa vaitAla ko sauMpa die / nAgakumAra vara ke veza meM taiyAra ho rahA thA .... eka azva bhI sajjita ho rahA thA / vaitAla ne apanI mAyA se nAgakumAra ko do kSaNoM meM hI chipA diyA aura vikrama ko nAgakumAra ke rUpa meM badala diyaa| vikrama ghor3e para baitthaa| zobhAyAtrA cala pdd'ii| vaitAla adRzya rUpa meM sAtha hI cala rahA thaa| snAna-zuddha hokara tInoM sakhiyAM usa sthAna para pahuMcI, jahAM baTuka ko biThAyA thA, kintu vahAM kucha bhI na dekhakara ve ghabarA giiN| unhoMne cAroM ora dekhA, idhara-udhara daur3a-dhUpa kI, para vyrth| unheM karaMDaka ke guma ho jAne kI cintA nahIM thI, kintu tInoM cAmatkArika daMDoM kI corI se ve asta-vyasta ho giiN| unhoMne socA - saMbhava hai, bAlaka kutUhalavaza isI mArga se bhItara calA gayA ho| aura taba ve bhI usI mArga se pAtAlaloka kI ora calIM / jaba zobhAyAtrA eka bAjAra se gujara rahI thI, taba tInoM sakhiyAM vahAM A pahuMcI aura baTuka ko khojane lgiiN| kintu baTuka kahIM dikhAI nahIM diyaa| aba kyA kiyA jAe? unakA mana daMDoM ke kho jAne ke anutApa se bhara gayA / vaitAla ne tInoM sakhiyoM ko dekha liyA aura usake mana meM vinoda karane kA bhAva jAgA / usane azva para baiThe hue vIra vikrama ke kAna meM kahA - 'mahArAja ! sAmane dekheM, tInoM sakhiyAM A gaI haiN|' vikrama ne usa ora dekhA / tInoM sakhiyoM ne svAbhAvika rUpa se apane sakhI ke pati ko dekhane ke lie nAgakumAra kI ora dRSTi DAlI..... aura tInoM cauMka pdd'ii| nAgakumAra ke badale unheM daridra baTuka dikhAI diyA / yaha kaisA Azcarya ? yaha indrajAla hai athavA nAgakumAra kI mAyA ? tInoM sakhiyAM vahAM se nAgakanyA ke bhavana kI ora giiN| vahAM bhI nAga-jAti ke aneka strI-puruSa ekatrita the / ve saba vara ke svAgata ke lie lAlAyita ho rahe the / kucha hI samaya pazcAt zobhAyAtrA phuNcii| kanyA - pakSa ne vara-pakSa vAle sabhI vyaktiyoM kA AdarapUrvaka svAgata kiyA / vivAha kI taiyArI ho cukI thI / vara ko vivAha kI vedI para le jAyA gyaa| aba vikrama akulAe aura vaitAla ko yAda kiyaa| vaitAla ne adRzya rUpa se vikrama ke kAna meM kahA- 'kyA AjJA hai ?' vIra vikramAditya 311

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'mitra! aba kaThinAI A jaaegii| mUla nAgakumAra ko lAkara yahAM biThA do|' vikrama ne khaa| vaitAla bolA- 'mahArAja! ApakA anta:pura vizAla hai| nAgakumArI atyanta rUpavatI hai| aba pIche nahIM haTanA caahie|' vIra vikrama sakucAte hue baiThe rahe / nAgakanyA aayii| tInoM sakhiyAM bhI A giiN| tInoM ko rAjakumAra ke badale baTuka dikhAI detA thA aura dUsaroM ko raajkumaar| vIra vikrama nAgakanyA kA anindya rUpa dekhakara avAk raha ge| tInoM sakhiyAM vikrama ke sAmane A giiN| vijayA bolI- 'are o baTuka! hamAre tInoM daMDa vApasa de de| tU eka daridra kaMgAla yahAM nAgakumArI se zAdI karane AyA hai ? nAlAyaka! hamAre daMDa de de, anyathA hama tujhe kaThinAI meM DAla deNgii|' nAgakumAra bane hue vikrama mauna rhe| vahAM khar3e anya nAgapuruSoM ko Azcarya huA ki ye mAnavaloka kI striyAM nAgakumAra ko 'baTuka' kahakara kyoM sambodhita karatI haiM ? kintu taba vaitAla ne eka aura camatkAra kiyaa| vIra vikrama apane mUla rUpa meM A ge| vIra vikrama ko dekhakara tInoM sakhiyAM camatkRta huIM aura bolIM- 'mahArAja vikramAditya kI jaya ho / kRpAnAtha! ratnapura meM jaba hamane Apako dekhA, taba hamAre mana meM Apake prati rasabhAva utpanna huA thaa| hama tInoM kI yaha pratijJA hai ki hama eka hI puruSa se vivAha kreNgii| Apa hamArI pratijJA ko saMrakSaNa deM aura hameM caraNadAsI banAkara svIkAra kreN|' vaitAla mana-hI-mana harSita ho rahA thA....vIra vikrama ke mana meM eka patnI ke badale aba cAra patniyoM kI cintA khar3I ho gii| mahArAja vikramAditya kA nAma sunakara nAgajAti ke loga bahuta Anandita hue| navavadhU ke rUpa meM sajjita hokara AyI nAgakumArI ke mukha para bhI prasannatA kI rekhAeM nAcane lgiiN| mUla nAgakumAra ke pitA vikramAditya ke sAmane upasthita hokara bole'kRpAnAtha! ApakI prazaMsA hama yadA-kadA sunate rahe haiN| Aja hamArA nAgaloka dhanya ho gyaa| aba Apa mere putra para kRpA kareM aura vaha kahAM hai, isakI sUcanA dekara hamArI cintA mittaaeN|' vaitAla ne tatkAla nAgakumAra ko upasthita kiyaa| vikrama ne nAgakumAra ke pitA se kahA- 'Apa apane putra kI vivAha-vidhi sampanna kreN| maiM vivAha karane nahIM AyA thaa|' 312 vIra vikramAditya

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nAgakanyA ke pitA bole- 'mahArAja! hamArI jAti ke niyamoM ke anusAra jisakA vivAha-maMDapa meM svAgata hotA hai, vahI kanyA ke sAtha pANigrahaNa kara sakatA hai| maiM apanI dUsarI putrI kA vivAha nAgakumAra se kara duuNgaa|' vikrama ne nAgakumArI surasundarI tathA tInoM sakhiyoM-harimatI, gopA aura vijayA-ina cAroM ke sAtha eka hI vivAha-maMDapa meM pANigrahaNa kiyaa| surasundarI kI choTI bahana ratnasundarI kA vivAha mUla nAgakumAra ke sAtha sampanna huaa| nAgakumAra ke pitA ne apanI kanyA kamalasundarI kA vivAha bhI vikrama ke sAtha kara diyaa| isa prakAra eka hI rAta meM pAMca rUpavatI kanyAoM ko vikrama ne patnI-rUpa meM prApta kiyA aura zeSa tIna daMDoM ko bhI prApta kara liyaa| ___ nAgajAti ke logoM ne vIra vikrama ko rokane kA prayatna kiyaa| unake anurodha ko mAnakara vikrama eka dina vahAM ruke| dUsare dina pAMcoM patniyoM aura tInoM daMDoM ko lekara ve ratnapura A ge| yaha bAta nagarI meM phaila gii| tInoM sakhiyoM ke mAM-bApa bahuta prasanna hue| apanI kanyAoM ko mAlavapati svAmI ke rUpa meM prApta hoM, yaha kama saubhAgya kI bAta nahIM thii| kuladevI kA pUjana kie binA patniyoM ke sAtha bAtacIta nahIM ho sakatI, isalie vikrama ne unheM matisAra ke bhavana meM rkhaa| aura do dina bAda vijayasiMha kI kanyA malayAvatI ke sAtha vIra vikrama kA vivAha sampanna huaa| aba ve chaha patniyoM, tIna daMDoM ko sAtha lekara avaMtI kI ora prasthita hue| ___ vaitAla bhI mAnavarUpa dhAraNa kara sAtha hI raha rahA thaa| vIra vikrama bhI manahI-mana samajha gae the ki isa mitra ne manoraMjana-manoraMjana meM chaha patniyoM se pANigrahaNa karA diyA hai| avaMtI pahuMcane ke pazcAt vaitAla vidA huaa| kamalArAnI ne chahoM navavadhuoM kA svAgata kiyaa| jaba mahArAja vikramAditya mile, taba usane kahA- 'mahArAja ! parigraha manuSya ke lie sone kI ber3I bana jAtA hai| anta:pura to vizAla hai, parantu Apake sira para bhAra bar3hatA jaaegaa|' "priye ! maiM kyA karUM? aisI paristhiti A jAtI hai ki mere sAmane koI dUsarA mArga hI nahIM bctaa| rUpa aura yauvana ke pIche pAgala banakara maiM aisA kara rahA hUM, yaha mata socnaa| itanI rUpavatI patniyoM ke hone para bhI mere nayanoM meM tuma aura kalA hI basI huI ho| kintu kabhI-kabhI kIrti aura pratiSThA bhI hita-zatru bana jAtI hai|' vIra vikramAditya 313

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kamalArAnI bolI-'ApakI kaThinAI ko maiM samajhatI hUM kintu aba Apako kucha pratijJA kara lenI caahie| abhI Apa yuvA haiM, priyadarzana haiN| Apako dekhakara koI bhI nArI Apake prati AkarSita hotI hai to isameM koI Azcarya nahIM hai| kintu anta meM yaha baMdhana bahuta kaThora ho jAtA hai|' 'aba maiM sAvadhAna rhNgaa| aba paMcadaMDa kA kArya bhI sampanna ho gayA hai....Aja rAtri meM sabhI patniyoM ko raMgabhavana meM bulA lenaa| maiM sabako paMcadaMDa kI bAta btaauuNgaa|' vikrama ne khaa| rAta huii| raMgabhavana meM paiMtAlIsa patniyoM ke madhya baiThakara vikrama ne paMcadaMDa kI pUrI bAta btaaii| sabhI rAniyAM harSa se ullasita huiiN| dUsare dina vIra vikrama ne nAgadamanI ko bulAkara kahA.-'devI! aba mere pAsa pAMcoM daMDa ho gae haiM-sarvarasa daMDa, vajra daMDa, bhUmi-visphoTaka daMDa, viSApahara daMDa aura maNi dNdd| aba chatra ke nirmANa meM kyA sAmagrI zeSa raha jAtI hai?' ___ 'mahArAja! devatAoM aura asuroM ke lie bhI jo kArya azakya thA, use Apane zakya kara dikhaayaa| aba maiM ekAdha mahIne meM paMcadaMDa kA chatra taiyAra kara duuNgii| Apane jahAM merI kanyA devadamanI ke sAtha zataraMja kA khela khelA thA, vaha bhUmi atyuttama hai| vahIM Apa eka sabhAmaMDapa kA nirmANa kraaeN| vahIM battIsa putaliyoM vAlA siMhAsana rakheM / usa siMhAsana para hI maiM paMcadaMDa chatra kA nirmANa karUMgI aura una amUlya vastuoM ke saMrakSaNa kI mAMtrika vyavasthA bhI kara duuNgii|' nAgadamanI AzIrvAda dekara calI gii| mahArAjA vikramAditya ne sabhAmaMDapa taiyAra karane kA Adeza de diyA aura lagabhaga eka hajAra kArIgara isa kArya meM juTa ge| eka mahIne meM nAgadamanI ne chatra taiyAra kara mahArAja ko arpita karate hue kahA- 'mahArAja! chatra taiyAra hai| aba pratidina Apako apane iSTadeva kI pUjA arcanA kara isa chatra kA upabhoga karanA hogaa|' cauthe mahIne meM sabhAmaMDapa taiyAra ho gayA-bhavya, sundara aura klaatmk| isa sabhAmaMDapa meM battIsa putaliyoM vAlA siMhAsana rkhaa| nAgadamanI ne daivI zakti vAle paMcadaMDa ke chatra ko usa siMhAsana ke Upara vyavasthita kiyA aura donoM durlabha vastuoM kI rakSA ke lie mAMtrika vyavasthA kii| mahArAja vikramAditya rAjapurohita ke dvArA zubha dina meM usa siMhAsana para mahAdevI kamalA ke sAtha virAjamAna hue| sabhAmaMDapa meM do hajAra vyaktiyoM ke baiThane kI vyavasthA thii| sabhI ne mahArAja vikramAditya kA jayanAda kiyaa| 314 vIra vikramAditya

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56. strI kA caritra eka bAra vIra vikrama nagaracarcA ke lie ge| lauTakara unhoMne kamalArAnI se kahA- 'priye ! Aja maiM sonIvAr3A meM gayA thaa| eka makAna meM do navayauvanA sakhiyAM bAtacIta kara rahI thiiN| eka kA nAma saubhAgyasundarI thA aura dUsarI kA nAma kalpanA thaa| kucha hI samaya pazcAt kalpanA kA vivAha hone vAlA thA, isalie vaha apanI sakhI se milane ke lie AyI thii| bAta-hI-bAta meM saubhAgyasundarI ne kalpanA se kahA- 'vivAha ke bAda tU zIghra hI sasurAla calI jAegI, isalie phira hama mila nahIM skeNgii| batA, vivAha ke pazcAt jIvana kI kyA kalpanA hai ?' kalpanA bolI-'isameM kyA kalpanA karanI hai? maiM pati kI AjJA kA pAlana kruuNgii| unake sukha meM sukha aura duHkha meM du:kha maanuuNgii| sAsa aura sasura ko mAtApitA tulya mAnakara unakI sevA karUMgI aura unakI priyatA saMpAdita kruuNgii|' 'pagalI kahIM kI!' saubhAgyasundarI ne haMsate hue kahA-'isa prakAra kA AcaraNa to pratyeka strI karatI hI hai| isameM koI nayI bAta nahIM hai| yaha to vivAha kI gulAmI kahI jA sakatI hai, isameM kyA?' tatkAla kalpanA bolI- 'saubhAgya ! kyA kartavya kA nirvAha gulAmI hai ? acchA batA, tU vivAha ke pazcAt kyA karegI?' 'mere vivAha kI to abhI koI bAta hI nahIM hai| lekina ekAdha varSa meM mujhe vivAha ke baMdhana meM baMdhanA hI pdd'egaa| usa samaya maiM tere jaise gulAmI ke vicAra nahIM rkhuugii|' 'to batA, kyA karegI?' 'mere pAsa rUpa aura yauvana kA thAla bharA par3A hai| maiM apane pati ko dAsa banAkara rakhUgI aura usakI AMkhoM meM kAmaNa' AMja kara dUsare chala-chabIle puruSoM ke sAtha Ananda mnaauuNgii|' kalpanA ne gambhIra svara meM kahA-'tU merA parihAsa to nahIM kara rahI hai?' 'nahIM, maiM satya kaha rahI huuN| eka hI puruSa kI pAMkhoM ke nIce phar3aphar3AnA kyA jIvana kA ullAsa hai ? nahIM, nahIM, nhiiN| isameM koI navInatA nahIM hai| yauvana amuka kAla ke pazcAt asta ho hI jAtA hai, phira isakI upekSA kyoM kI jAe?' _ 'saubhAgyasundarI ke zabdoM ko sunakara maiM tatkAla vahAM se calA aayaa|' vIra vikrama ne khaa| kamalA bolI- 'svAmI! isameM Azcarya kI kyA bAta hai? adhikAMza striyAM saccaritra hI hotI haiN| ve satItva kI rakSA karatI haiN| kintu koI eka strI saubhAgyasundarI jaise vicAroM vAlI bhI ho sakatI hai|' vIra vikramAditya 315

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'kamalA ! ina zabdoM ko sunakara saubhAgyakumArI kI parIkSA karane kA vicAra mere mana meM uThA, isalie sIdhA tumhAre pAsa A gyaa|' 'Apa parIkSA kaise kareMge? abhI to vaha kuMvArI hai aura vivAha ke pazcAt vaha kahAM jAegI, koI kaha nahIM sktaa|' 'suno to sahI, yadi tuma kaho to maiM use apanI patnI banAkara yahAM le AUM aura use ekAnta mahala meM rakhU, phira dekhU ki vaha apane pati ko gulAma kaise banAtI hai aura anya puruSoM ke sAtha kaise yauvana kI mastI kA Ananda letI hai ?' kamalA khilakhilAkara haMsa pdd'ii| usake madhura hAsya se sArA zayana-kakSa mukharita ho gyaa| vIra vikrama tatkAla gaMbhIra hokara bole-'tumheM haMsI kyoM A rahI hai?' 'prANanAtha! ApakI bAta hI hAsyAspada hai| eka strI kI parIkSA ke lie rAniyoM kI saMkhyA kyoM bar3hAnI cAhie? jo strI sadAcAra se dUra hai aura catura hai to vaha apanA socA huA kArya karake hI sAMsa letI hai| Apa saubhAgyasundarI se vivAha kara, use ekAnta mahala meM rakha deM, phira bhI yadi vaha parapuruSagAminI bane to ApakI kitanI nindA hogI?' 'kamalA ! bAta ThIka hai| kintu rUpa aura yauvana ke abhimAna meM masta banI saubhAgyasundarI ke garva kA khaMDana kaise ho?' vikrama ke vakSasthala para mastaka rakhate hue kamalA bolI- 'prANeza! saMsAra meM strI-caritra kA pAra abhI taka kisI ne nahIM pAyA hai| nArI eka mahAn zakti hai| yadi yaha zakti sahI mArga para lage to vaha pRthvI para svarga khar3A kara sakatI hai aura yadi galata mArga para lage to vaha saMsAra ko zmazAna banA sakatI hai| Apane mujhe umAde kI bAta batAI thii| usake caritra ke pIche kitanA daMbha thA?' rAta kAphI bIta cukI thii| vikrama ne kamalA ko bAhupAza meM jakar3A aura... prAta: zauca Adi se nivRtta hokara vIra vikrama rAjasabhA meM ge| usa samaya unake mana meM strI-caritra kA UhApoha cala rahA thaa| unhoMne mahAmaMtrI bhaTTamAtra se pUchA- 'kyA strI-caritra nahIM jAnA jA sakatA?' ___ 'hAM, mahArAja! strI-caritra akalpanIya hotA hai| usakA pAra pAnA sahaja nahIM hai| bhagavAna bhI strI-caritra ke samakSa avAka raha jAte haiN|' bhaTTamAtra ne khaa| ___mitra ! strI-caritra ko anubhava karane kA sAdhana kyA hai?' 'kRpAnAtha! yaha anubhava karane yogya vastu nahIM hai| yaha to tIvra viSa ke samAna hai|' 'phira bhii|' 316 vIra vikramAditya

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'kRpAnAtha! mujhe isakA anubhava nahIM hai| kintu isa nagarI meM kalikA nAma kI eka vezyA rahatI hai| vaha atyanta catura aura tAMtrika prayogoM ko jAnane vAlI hai| usase hI strI-caritra ke viSaya meM jAnA jA sakatA hai|' vikrama kA mana kalikA se milane ke lie Atura thaa| unakA citta auraaura kAryoM meM nahIM laga rhaathaa|sote, uThate, baiThatevestrI-caritra kI jijJAsA meM hI ulajhe rahate the| mahArAnI kamalA aura kalA ne unakI mana:sthiti ko jAna liyA thaa| phira bhI ve unake mana ko bahalAne kA prayatna kara rahI thiiN| isI prayatna meM jalavihAra kI yojanA banI aura eka dina vIra vikrama ikyAvana rAniyoM tathA saikar3oM dAsiyoM ke sAtha jalakrIr3A ke lie nikala pdd'e| jalavihAra! navayauvanA ikyAvana rAniyoM ke sAtha madabharI mstii| vIra vikrama usa samaya kalikA ko bhUla-se ge| ve apanI pratyeka priyA ke sAtha yauvana kI madamastI se krIr3A kara rahe the| jalavihAra sampanna huaa| puna: vIra vikrama kA mana kalikA se milane ke lie vyAkula ho utthaa| unhoMne ajaya ko bulAkara kahA-'abhI kalikA vezyA se milane jAnA hai|' 'svAmI! kalikA vezyA! rAta meM!' 'hAM, abhii| mujhe usase kucha rahasya jAnanA hai| ratha taiyAra kr|' 'jii|' kahakara mahApratihAra calA gyaa| vikrama tatkAla veza-parivartana karane lge| unhoMne rAjamudrikA ke atirikta sAre alaMkAra utAra ddaale| eka sAmAnya kSatriya kI pozAka pahana ve taiyAra ho ge| veza-parivartana kara unhoMne dIpamAlikA ke prakAza meM darpaNa meM dekhaa| unheM nizcaya ho gayA ki isa veza meM koI bhI unheM nahIM pahacAna paaegaa| sAmAnya kSatriya ke veza meM vikrama bAhara nikle| nIce prAMgaNa meM mahApratihAra ajaya ne ratha taiyAra rakhA thaa| kucha hI kSaNoM ke pazcAtvIra vikrama aura ajaya ratha meM baiThakara vidA ho ge| eka sthAna para ratha ko chor3a vIra vikrama aura ajaya paidala cala pdd'e| kucha dUra calane ke pazcAt ajaya ne kahA- 'kRpAnAtha! devI kalikA kA yaha bhavana hai|' 'acchA, aba tuma rAjabhavana meM cale jaao|' 'Apa AjJA deM to maiM yahAM nIce hI khar3A rhuuN|' vikrama ne haMsakara kahA-'nahIM, ajaya! bhaya kI koI bAta nahIM hai| maiM apanA kArya pUrA kara rAjabhavana kI ora nikala pdduuNgaa|' vIra vikramAditya 317

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ajaya mastaka namAkara vidA ho gyaa| vIra vikrama ne kalikA ke bhavana ke baMda dvAra ko khttkhttaayaa| kucha hI kSaNoM ke pazcAt eka vRddha mahilA ne dvAra kholA aura eka aparicita vyakti ko sAmane dekhakara pUchA-'kisase milanA cAhate ho?' 'maiM devI kalikA se milane AyA huuN| kyA ve ghara meM haiM ?' __ 'hAM, Apa andara pdhaareN| maiM abhI pUchakara AtI huuN| ApakA nAma-dhAma kyA hai?' 'maiM eka paradezI rAjapUta huuN| devI kI prazaMsA sunakara unase milane AyA huuN| merA nAma vikramasiMha hai|' vikrama ne khaa| vikrama ko vahAM biThA vRddhA bhItara gaI aura kucha hI kSaNoM meM lauTakara bolI'bhAI! tuma mere pIche-pIche A jaao|' 'acchaa|' kahakara vikrama usa vRddhA ke pIche-pIche cala pdd'aa| tIsarI maMjila para pahuMcakara vRddhA eka kakSa ke pAsa rukI aura baMda dvAra ko khaTakhaTAte hue bolI- 'devI!' 'aMdara Ane do|' khaMDa se eka AvAja aayii| vRddhA ne dvAra kholakara kahA- 'aMdara jAo, bhAI!' vikrama aMdara ge| vRddhA puna: dvAra baMda kara calI gii| vikrama ko dekhate hI kalikA palaMga para se uThate hue bolI- 'padhAreM, avaMtInAtha! Apane veza-parivartana to bahuta ucita DhaMga se kiyA hai, kintu Apake vizAla aura tejasvI nayana kabhI kisI se chipe raha sakate haiM?' yaha kahakara kalikA ne hAtha se izArA kara kahA- 'kRpAnAtha! Apa isa Asana para baitthe|' 'devI ! maiM eka paradezI....' bIca meM hI madhura vANI meM kalikA bolI-'kRpAnAtha! maiM jisa vyakti ko eka bAra dekha letI hUM, use kabhI bhUla nahIM sktii| Apa binA kisI saMkoca ke yahAM virAjeM / maiM Aja vAstava meM dhanya ho gii| mere AMgana meM bAnave lAkha prajA ke svAmI mAlavanAtha pdhaare|' vikrama ne Asana para baiThate hue kahA- 'devI ! maiMne to Apako kabhI nahIM dekhA hai|' 'Apa to paraduHkhabhaMjaka haiM, mahAn haiN| Apako kauna nahIM jAnatA? maiMne Apako zobhAyAtrA meM, mahAkAla ke maMdira meM aura rAjasabhA meM dekhA hai| Aja isa dAsI ko kaise yAda kiyA?' 318 vIra vikramAditya

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vikrama ne kalikA kI ora dekhakara kahA-'devI! maiM eka vizeSa prayojana se yahAM AyA huuN| mere mana meM eka aisI jijJAsA jAgI hai ki mujhe palabhara bhI vizrAma nahIM mila rahA hai| mujhe strI-caritra ko jAnane kI jijJAsA hai aura maiM ise apane nayanoM se dekhanA cAhatA huuN| maiMne sunA hai ki Apa hI merI jijJAsA ko zAMta kara sakatI haiM, dUsarA koI nhiiN|' do kSaNa vicAramagna hokara kalikA bolI- 'mahArAja! strI-caritra se dUra rahanA hI acchA hai| Apa apanI jijJAsA ko nikAla deN| strI-caritra dekhane ke pazcAt Apako atyadhika pIr3A hogI, pazcAttApa hogaa|' 'devI! merA hRdaya jitanA komala hai, utanA kaThora bhI hai| Apa merI jijJAsA ko pUrI karane kA prayatna kreN|' 'kRpAnAtha! ApakI AjJA mAnya karanA merA parama dharma hai| strI-caritra bahuta kuTila hotA hai| usakA pAra koI nahIM pA sktaa| phira bhI ApakI jijJAsA ko zAMta karane kA maiM prayatna kruuNgii| eka prazna hai, kyA Apa bAhara kA strI-caritra jAnanA cAhate haiM athavA apane hI anta:pura kA?' vikrama anta:pura kA nAma sunate hI cauMke aura Asana se uThate hue bole'kyA mere anta:pura meM strI-caritra hai?' 'mahArAja! ApakA anta:pura saMsAra se nirAlA nahIM hai| jahAM striyAM rahatI haiM, vahAM strI-caritra bhI hotA hai|' vikrama puna: Asana para baiThate hue bole- 'devI ! merI sabhI patniyAM pavitra. nirmala, dharmaparAyaNa aura pAtivrata dharma ko prANoM se bhI adhika mUlyavAna mAnane vAlI haiN| mere anta:pura meM strI-caritra kA avakAza bhI nahIM hai|' 'to maiM ApakI isa zraddhA ko khaMDita karanA nahIM caahtii| maiM Apako dUsarI striyoM kA strI-caritra dikhA duuNgii|' kalikA ne khaa| vikrama bole- 'nahIM, devI! mujhe to apane hI anta:pura kA strI-caritra jAnanA hai|' 'kRpAnAtha! yaha maiM Apako Aja hI batA duuNgii| kintu Apako mujhe eka vacana denA hogaa|' 'bolo!' 'jo kucha bhI Apa dekheMge, use mana meM hI rkheNge| krodha ke Aveza meM kucha bhI nahIM kreNge|' 'devI ! maiM eka rAjA hUM....yadi krodha ko na pacA sakA to?' 'to phira strI-caritra ko dekhane kA Agraha chor3a deM, kyoMki isa pakSa meM maiM bhI kucha sahayogI bnuuNgii|' vIra vikramAditya 316

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'acchA, maiM krodha ko pacA luuNgaa|' 'kRpAnAtha! Apa bhAgyazAlI haiN| yaha prasaMga kaba prApta hotA, kucha bhI nahIM kahA jA sakatA thaa| kintu Aja madhyAhna meM hI mujhe saMdeza prApta huA thaa| Aja madhyarAtri ke samaya maiM ApakI jijJAsA tRpta kara skuugii| Apa mere sAtha Upara pdhaareN|' kahakara kalikA ne kakSa kA dvAra kholA aura hAtha meM eka jholI lekara Upara car3hane lgii| vikrama bhI usake pIche-pIche cle| madhyarAtri kA samaya ho rahA thaa| kalikA ne AkAza kI ora dekhakara kahA- 'mahArAja! samaya ho cukA hai| yahAM jo eka peTI hai, usameM Apa mauna hokara baiTha jaaeN| isa peTI meM choTe-choTe chidra haiN| ina chidroM se Apa andara baiThe-baiThe bAhara kA sArA dRzya dekha skeNge| Apa hile-DuleM bhI nhiiN| yaha peTI AkAzamArga se udd'egii| Apa ghabarAeM nhiiN|' vikrama ne peTI kI ora dekhakara kahA-'devI! maiM atyanta sAvaceta rhNgaa|' kalikA ne peTI kA Dhakkana kholaa| vIra vikrama andara baiTha ge| kalikA bolI- 'mahArAja! cupacApa baiThe rheN| yaha peTI AkAzamArga se Apako anta:pura meM le jaaegii| vahAM jo bhI ghaTita ho use dekhate rheN| aba maiM nIce jA rahI hUM....kucha hI samaya pazcAt puna: aauuNgii|' kahakara kalikA ne peTI kA Dhakkana banda kara diyaa| vIra vikrama peTI meM sikur3akara baiTha ge| unake mana meM aneka prakAra ke vicAra Ane lge| kalikA apane kakSa meM calI gii| do-eka ghaTikA bItI hogii| vikrama ke mana meM uthala-puthala ho rahI thii| unhoMnesocA, mereanta:purameMstrI-caritrakaisehosakatA hai? vahAMitanA jabaradasta paharA! pratyeka rAnI ke lie alaga-alaga AvAsagRha ! pratyeka AvAsagRha ke sazastra rakSaka! bAhara kA koI bhI vyakti bhItara praveza nahIM kara sakatA....phira strI-caritra kaisA? merI pratyeka rAnI prasanna aura mere se saMtuSTa hai, phira kyoM vaha....kalikA kaise kahatI hai ki mere anta:pura meM bhI strI-caritra hai? ina vicAroM meM vikrama ulajha rahe the| itane meM hI unake kAnoM se kalikA ke zabda TakarAe- 'padhAro, maMtrIzvara! Upara padhAro!' donoM Upara Ae, taba kalikA bolI-'Apa isa peTI ke Upara baiTha jAeM aura yaha mAMtrika picchI hAtha meM rkheN| isa picchI ko peTI para pherane se Apa jahAM jAnA cAheMge, vahAM yaha peTI Apako AkAzamArga se pahuMcA degii|' 'kalikA! tumhArI kRpA nahIM hotI to.....' 'Apa aisA na kheN| Apane mujhe pracura dhana diyA hai| isa bAra Apane bahuta vilamba kiyA hai| pandraha dina ho gae haiN|' 320 vIra vikramAditya

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'hAM, kalikA ! mahArAjA ke anta:pura meM jAnA sahaja kArya to nahIM hai| priyA ke tIna-cAra saMdeza Ae, isalie mujhe Aja tujhe kahalAnA par3A / ' kahakara maMtrI peTI para baiTha gayA / peTI ke andara baiThe hue vIra vikrama ne apane maMtrI kA svara pahacAna liyA / unhoMne socA, oha ! jise maiM atyanta pavitra aura dharmiSTha mAnatA thA, kyA maMtrI jJAnacandra aisA hai ? kalikA bolI- 'maMtrIzvara ! ApakA saMdeza prApta hote hI maiMne sArI taiyArI kara rakhI thii| yaha maMtrasiddha peTI Apako apanI priyA ke pAsa pahuMcAegI / kintu vahAM jAne ke pazcAt isa peTI ko kholane kA prayatna na kareM, kyoMki peTI * maMtrasiddha hai / isako kholate hI isameM se Aga nikalegI aura kholane vAle ko bhasma kara degI / ' 'maiM sAvadhAnI baratUMgA / Aja AkAza meM ur3ane ke lie kAma Ane vAlI pavana pAdukAeM nahIM haiM ?' jJAnacandra ne puuchaa| 'nahIM, unako maMtrasiddha karanA hotA hai aura usake lie kRSNapakSa kI caturdazI taka pratIkSA karanI par3atI hai| isalie Aja isa peTI kA prayoga karanA par3a rahA hai|' kalikA ne kahA / maMtrI jJAnacandra ne kalikA se picchI lI aura peTI para baiThakara usako peTI ke cAroM ora pheraa| kSaNabhara meM hI peTI AkAzamArga se rAjabhavana ke anta: pura kI dizA meM ur3ane lagI / vikrama chidroM se dekha rahe the, para aMdhakAra ke kAraNa kucha bhI dikhAI nahIM de rahA thA / kucha hI kSaNoM meM vaha peTI eka vAtAyana ke rAste se eka zayanakakSa meM praviSTa huI / vikrama ne dekhA ki ve eka zayanakakSa meM A pahuMce haiM aura vahAM dIpamAlikA kA maMda prakAza phailA huA hai| peTI zayanakakSa kI eka dIvAra ke pAsa jA Thahara gaI / vikrama ne dekhA -sAmane hI svarNa kA eka vizAla palaMga bichA par3A hai| palaMga para apanI hI patnI madanamaMjarI jAgatI huI baiThI hai| jJAnacandra peTI para picchI rakhakara khar3A huA / tatkAla madanamaMjarI bolI - 'Ao priyatama ! tumhArA viyoga mere se sahA nahIM jAtA, yaha to tuma jAnate hI ho / cAra-cAra saMdeza bheje, jaba tumane Ane kI svIkRti dI / priyatama ! tumhArA citta to prasanna haina ?' 'citta to sadA tere meM hI ramA rahatA hai, kintu kyA karUM ? rAjakAja aisA hotA hai ki samaya mila hI nahIM paataa| eka bAta aura hai- yahAM Ane kA artha hai mauta vIra vikramAditya 321

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ko hathelI para lekara aanaa| yadi kisI ko jJAta ho jAe to usI kSaNa mastaka dhar3a se alaga ho jaae|' 'bhayabhIta rahanA premiyoM ko zobhA nahIM detaa| acchA calo, pahale maiM tumheM apane hAthoM se nahalAtI huuN| phira hama sAtha baiThakara bhojana kreNge|' 'are, kyA tumane abhI taka bhojana nahIM kiyA?' 'kaise karatI? maiM adhIra hokara tumhArI pratIkSA kara rahI thii|' kahakara madanamaMjarI ne maMtrI jJAnacandra kA hAtha pakar3A aura zayanakakSa meM sthita snAnagRha meM le gii| vIra vikrama avAk banakara atyanta Azcaryacakita nayanoM se peTI kechidroM se jitanA dikha pA rahA thA, use dekhate rhe| lagabhaga ekAdha ghaTikA ke pazcAt jJAnacandra aura madanamaMjarI- donoM snAnagRha se bAhara nikle| vikrama ne dekhA-donoM ne snAna kara liyA hai| maMjarI bolI-'tuma yahAM baiTho, maiM vastra badalakara AtI huuN|' 'priye ! ina bhIge vastroM meM tumhArI kaMcanavarNI kAyA atyanta ramaNIya lagatI hai|' ___ 'phira bhI....' kahakara maMjarI zayanagRha se usake bhItara vAle vastrakakSa meM calI gaIM zayanakakSa kA mukhyadvAra bhItara se banda thaa| jJAnacandra zayyA para baiThe the| vikrama ne dekhA, jJAnacandra kI umra lagabhaga cAlIsa varSa kI hai| isakA ceharA bhI AkarSaka nahIM hai| madanamaMjarI aura jJAnacandra yadi pAsa-pAsa khar3e raheM to bhI zobhita nahIM ho skte| aise sAmAnya manuSya para merI navayauvanA patnI kaise mugdha ho gaI? __itane meM hI madanamaMjarI uttama vastroM ko dhAraNa kara hAtha meM bhojana kA thAla lekara A gii| donoM pharza para baiThe aura eka-dUsare ke muMha meM kavala dete hue prema aura ullAsa se bhojana karane lge| _donoM kI bAteM sunakara vikrama kA krodha bar3ha rahA thA, kintu tatkAla unheM kalikA kI bAta kA smaraNa ho AyA aura unhoMne krodha ko pI liyaa| bhojana karane ke pazcAt donoM ne mukhavAsa liyaa| madanamaMjarI bolI-'priya! isa prakAra tuma pandraha-pandraha dinoM meM eka bAra Ate ho, yaha ucita nahIM hai| tuma pratidina rAta ko AyA kro|' 322 vIra vikramAditya

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'priye! maiM pratidina rAta ko kaise AUM? mahArAja yadi A jAeM to tumhArI aura merI kyA dazA ho? aura kalikA bhI mahIne meM do bAra hI sahAyaka bana sakatI hai|' 'to phira dUsarA koI upAya nahIM hai?' 'tuma batAo, paharA kitanA jabaradasta hai?' 'eka upAya hai|' 'bolo|' 'tuma yadi strI-vezadhAraNa karotomAlina ke rUpa meM yahAM A sakate ho|' 'maiM yahAM rahUM aura kabhI mahArAja acAnaka A pahuMce to?' madanamaMjarI khilakhilAkara haMsa par3I aura haMsate-haMsate bolI-'mahArAja kaise AeM? pichale do mahInoM se ve mere AvAsagRha meM Ae hI nhiiN| Aja jalakrIr3A meM unheM dekhA thA aura itanI-itanI rAniyoM ke madhya rahane vAlA rAjA samaya hI kaise nikAla sakatA hai| jaba-jaba mere AvAsa meM Ane kI bArI AtI hai taba-taba yA to ve pravAsa para cale jAte haiM yA phira kisI ke du:kha ko dUra karane ke lie ruka jAte haiN|' vikrama kA hRdaya jala-bhuna rahA thA aura.... donoM kAmAMdha hokara mastI meM A gae.... nirbhayatApUrvaka donoM ratikrIr3A meM pAgala ho ge| vIra vikrama ke lie yaha saba asahya ho rahA thA, phira bhI ve dhairya rakhakara baiThe the| rAta kA tIsarA prahara pUrA huaa| jJAnacandra ne kahA-'priye ! aba maiM jaataahuuN|' 'nahIM, abhI rAta bAkI hai|' 'prAta: hote hI maiM phira jA nahIM skuuNgaa|' 'maiM dina meM tumako yahIM chipAkara rkhuugii|' 'nahIM, maMjarI! yaha khatarA nahIM lenA caahie|' kahakara jJAnacandra zayyA se nIce utraa| rAnI bhI nIce utarI aura jJAnacandra kA AzleSa karatI huI bolI'aba tuma kaba Aoge?' ___ 'kalikA samajhane vAlI nahIM hai, isalie pandraha dina taka tumheM bhI aura mujhe bhI viyoga kI zayyA bhoganI pdd'egii| yadi koI dUsarA upAya hAtha lagA to maiM avazya aauuNgaa|' donoM AliMganabaddha ho ge| donoM ne eka-dUsare ko cumbana se bhigo diyA aura jJAnacandra AliMgana se chUTakara peTI ke pAsa gyaa| hAtha meM picchI lekara vaha vIra vikramAditya 323

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peTI para baiThate hue bolA-'priye! Aja kA Ananda! Aja kI mastI ! Aja kI rAta!' bIca meM hI maMjarI bola uThI- 'pandraha dinoM ke viyoga se to acchA hai ki hama yahAM se kahIM bhAga cleN|' jJAnacandra ne muskarAte hue kahA-'priye! mahArAja vikramAditya ke hAtha bahuta lambe haiN| yadi hama acAnaka palAyana kara jAeMge to unheM saMdeha hogA aura ve hameM pakar3a leNge| eka bAta hai ki apanA yaha gupta prema yahAM Ananda se krIr3A kara sakatA hai| tumhAre aura mere gaurava kI bhI rakSA hotI hai| mujhe mere mAtA-pitA, patnI aura bAlakoM ko chor3akara jAnA bhI ucita nahIM hai|' maMjarI peTI ke pAsa AyI aura antima cumbanadAna dekara usane jJAnacandra ke hAtha meM eka mAlA dii| jJAnacandra ko lekara peTI AkAza meM ur3a gii| jaba taka peTI AMkhoM se ojhala nahIM ho gaI, taba taka maMjarI usa ora dekhatI rhii| kucha hI kSaNoM meM peTI kalikA kI chata para A phuNcii| usI kSaNa kalikA Upara AyI aura jJAnacandra ke hAtha meM se picchI letI huI bolI- 'maMtrIzvara! Aja to bahuta vilamba kiyA?' "devI! parakIyA premikA kA prema anokhA hotA hai| kintu tumhArI kRpA meM kucha nyUnatA raha jAtI hai| yadi tuma mujhe vahAM saptAha meM do bAra bheja sako, to bahuta Ananda aaegaa| tuma jo cAhogI, vaha tumheM detA rhuuNgaa|' phira jJAnacandra ne madanamaMjarI se prApta muktAmAlA ko kalikA ke hAthoM meM rakhate hue kahA- 'yaha mAlA bahuta mUlyavAna hai|' ____ 'maiM dhanya hii|' kahatI huI kalikA ne vaha mAlA le lii| jJAnacandra kalikA se vidAI lekara claa| kalikA use bhavana ke daravAje taka pahuMcAne gii| phira vaha chata para peTI meM se vikrama ko bAhara nikAlakara bolI'mahArAja! strI-caritra dekha liyA?' vikrama ne kahA- 'devI ! mujhe kalpanA bhI nahIM thI ki merI eka patnI aisI caritrahIna hai| aba tuma mujhe isa bAta kA uttara do|' 'mahArAja ! maiMne Apake mana kI bAta jAna lI hai, kintu Apa apanI anya pacAsa rAniyoM ke prati kisI bhI prakAra kA saMzaya na rakheM / anya rAniyAM pavitra haiM aura pAtivrata dharma ko pAlane vAlI haiN|' __ 'parantu devI! maiM pratyeka rAnI ko prasanna rakhatA huuN| phira bhI yaha kaise huA? maMtrI jJAnacandra avasthA meM mere se bar3A hai aura dikhane meM bhI sundara nahIM hai|' 324 vIra vikramAditya

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'mahArAja! isa viSaya meM Apa cintita na hoN| strI meM kAmavAsanA adhika hotI hai aura lajjA bhI vizeSa hotI hai| jaba vaha lajjA kA tyAga kara detI hai, taba use kucha bhI bhAna nahIM rahatA aura yaha saca hai ki kAmAndha vyakti vaya, rUpa Adi kA dhyAna nahIM rkhtaa|' 'oha devI! maiMne apanI jijJAsA zAMta kara lii| aba tuma vaha mAlA mujhe dikhAo, jo tumako jJAnacandra se milI hai|' kalikA ne vaha muktAmAlA vikrama ke hAtha meM dii| vikrama ne mAlA ko dekhakara kahA-'oha ! yaha to vahI mAlA hai, jo maiMne maMjarI ko dI thii| duSTA maMjarI ne apane priyatama se prApta upahAra kI bhI ijjata nahIM rakhI?' 'kRpAnAtha! krodha na kreN| saMsAra meM aisA hotA rahA hai|' __ 'devI ! nArI ko nArAyaNa bhI nahIM pahacAna skte| yadi tumheM koI Apatti na ho to maiM isa muktAmAlA ko sAtha le jaauuN| do-tIna dina bAda mahApratihAra tumheM lauTA degaa|' 'kRpAnAtha! yaha muktAmAlA ApakI hI hai, prasannatA se le jaaeN| parantu aisA koI kadama na uThAeM jisase ApakI kIrti meM AMca aae| Apane jo vacana mujhe diyA hai, usako na bhuuleN| vikrama ne kalikA kI ora dekhakara kahA- 'devI ! maiM tumhArA AbhAra mAnatA huuN| maiMne jo vacana diyA hai, vaha anyathA nahIM hogaa| kisI kA vadha to nahIM karUMgA, kintu ina duSToM ko apanI nagarI meM nahIM rkheNgaa|' ___ 'kRpAnAtha! yaha merA vyavasAya hai| phira bhI maiMne ApakA aparAdha kiyA hai| yadi maiMne jJAnacandra kA sahayoga na kiyA hotA to aisA nahIM bntaa|' 'devI! tuma to kevala nimitta banI ho| eka bAta maiM avazya kahanA cAhatA hUM ki tuma isa vyavasAya ko tilAMjali de do| dhana ke lie aisA karanA ucita nahIM hai| dhana nAzavAn hai|' kalikA bolI- 'kRpAnAtha! Apake caraNoM kI sAkSI se pratijJA karatI haiM ki maiM Aja se aise jaghanya karma nahIM kruuNgii| mahArAja ! mujhe uttama jainadharma milA, phira bhI usakI upekSA kara maiMne isa mAyAjAla meM apane Apako phaMsA ddaalaa|' vikrama ne kahA- 'devI! tuma jJAnI ho| jJAnI ko samajhane meM vilamba nahIM lgtaa| aba prAta:kAla hone hI vAlA hai| mujhe yahAM se vidA ho jAnA caahie|' kalikA ne bhAva-bhare svaroM meM kahA- 'kRpAnAtha! pArasamaNi ke sparza se lohA svarNa bana jAtA hai| Apako strI-caritra kI jAnakArI karAte hue merA strIcaritra bhI sadA ke lie naSTa ho gyaa| Aja maiM Apake darzana se pavitra huI huuN|' vIra vikramAditya 325

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phira vikrama vahAM se vidA ho ge| jaba ve rAjabhavana meM pahuMce taba pUrvAkAza meM uSArAnI kA madhura praveza aThakheliyAM kara rahA thaa| 60. aparAdhI ko sajA rAtri ke dRzya se vIra vikrama ke hRdaya meM eka cinagArI jala cukI thii| yadi ve kalikA se vacanabaddha nahIM hote to rAtri meM hI peTI se bAhara nikalakara madanamaMjarI aura jJAnacandra ko vahIM mauta ke ghATa utAra dete| kintu unhoMne asAdhAraNa dhairya rkhaa| koI bhI puruSa apanI patnI ke sAtha khele jAne vAle raMga-rAga ko dekhakara sthira raha hI nahIM sktaa| krodha ko pI jAnA sahaja-sarala bAta nahIM hai| vIra vikrama jaise mahAn vyakti hI aisA kara sakate haiN| vikrama sIdhe apane khaNDa meM gae aura apane nijI sevaka rAmadAsa ko snAna Adi kI vyavasthA karane kA Adeza diyaa| snAna Adi prAta:karma se nivRtta hokara vIra vikrama mahArAnI kamalAvatI ke khaNDa meM ge| mahArAnI kamalAvatI bhI vahIM pratIkSA kara rahI thii| eka Asana para baiThane ke pazcAt vikrama bole- 'kamalA! kala rAtri meM jo maiMne strI-caritra dekhA, usase mujhe asahya paritApa ho rahA hai|' 'prANanAtha! kala rAtri meM kyA banA thA?' 'priye! jo ghaTita ghaTanA maiMne apanI AMkhoM se dekhI, usakI smRti mAtra se siharana paidA ho jAtI hai|' yaha kahakara vikrama ne madanamaMjarI aura jJAnacandra ke vyabhicAra kI pUrI bAta btaaii| yaha sunakara donoM rAniyAM avAka raha giiN| dUsare dina rAnI kamalA aura kalAvatI ke sAtha maMtraNA kara vIra vikrama ne maMtrI jJAnacandra ko apane nijI kakSa meM bulA bhejaa| ___ mantrI jJAnacandra namana karatA huA kakSa meM praviSTa huA aura vIra vikrama ke samakSa hAtha jor3akara khar3A rhaa| mahApratihAra ajaya vIra vikrama ke pIche khar3A thaa| khaMDa meM aura koI nahIM thaa| jJAnacandra ne vinamra svaroM meM kahA- 'kRpAnAtha! kyA AjJA hai?' vikrama bole-'tumhAre hAtha meM nagarI kI vyavasthA kA kArya hai| kala maiM nagaracarcA ke lie gayA thaa| vahAM maiMne eka dardanAka ghaTanA sunI-uttama kula kI eka nArI parapuruSa ke sAtha vyabhicAra kara rahI thii| yadi nagara meM aisA hotA hai to yaha adha:patana kA sUcaka hai| vyabhicAra ke lie nagara meM aneka vezyAgRha haiM, phira bhI yadi gRhastha ke ghara meM aisA hotA hai to yaha nindanIya kArya hai| aba batAo, nyAya kI dRSTi se hameM kyA karanA cAhie?' 326 vIra vikramAditya

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'kRpAnAtha! nItizAstra kI dRSTi se dekhA jAe to aise puruSa aura strI vadhayogya hote haiN|' jJAnacandra ne khaa| do kSaNa socakara vikrama bole-'to phira maiM tumheM kauna-sI sajA dUM?' prazna sunate hI jJAnacandra Akula-vyAkula ho gyaa| vIra vikrama bole'tuma rAtri meM eka peTI para baiThakara AkAza-mArga se eka bhavana meM gae the| maiM usI peTI meM baiThA thaa| itanA hI nahIM, tumane kalikA ko jo mAlA dI thI, vaha mAlA bhI aba mere pAsa hai| jJAnacandra! tumhArA aparAdha akSamya hai| tumhAre zarIra ke rAIrAI jitane Tukar3e kara cIloM ko khilA dUM, phira bhI meremana ko saMtoSa nahIM ho paaegaa| bolo, isa viSaya meM tumheM kucha kahanA hai?' jJAnacandra stabdha raha gyaa| kATo to khuna nhiiN| vaha kAMpane lgaa| usakI buddhi badhira ho cukI thii| usake jur3e hue donoM hAtha kAMpa rahe the| vikrama ne mahApratihAra kI ora dRSTipAta karate hue kahA-'ajaya! aise narAdhama ke rakta se maiM avaMtI kI pavitra bhUmi ko dUSita karanA nahIM caahtaa| tuma isa duSTa ko pavitra mAlava deza kI sImA se bAhara chor3ane kI vyavasthA kara do|' phira jJAnacandra kI ora dekhakara kahA- 'jJAnacandra ! maiM tumheM kSamA to nahIM kara sakatA, parantu tumheM jIvanadAna detA huuN| aba tuma apane bhavana meM bhI nahIM jA skoge| ajaya tumheM yahAM se sIdhA kArAvAsa meM le jAegA aura Aja madhyarAtri meM tumhAre jaise pApI ko yahAM se vidA kara diyA jaaegaa| maiM eka cetAvanI detA hUM ki yadi tuma phira kabhI mAlava kI sImA meM paira rakhane kI ceSTA karoge to tumhAre Tukar3eTukar3e kara die jaaeNge|' jJAnacandra nIcA muMha kie maunabhAva se sunatA rhaa| sajala nayanoM se apane priya aura dayArdra rAjA ke caraNoM meM lur3haka gyaa| kucha samaya pazcAt ajaya jJAnacandra ko sAtha lekara kArAvAsa kI ora vidA ho gyaa| usI rAta ko cAra sazastra sainika eka banda ratha meM mantrI jJAnacandra ko lekara vidA ho ge| aura tIna dina pazcAta mahArAjA vikramAditya ne apane nivAsasthAna ke Age eka baMda ratha taiyAra rkhaa| ratha kI rakSA ke lie dasa sainika aura nAyaka kI vyavasthA kara rakhI thii| rAtri ke prathama prahara ke pazcAt vikrama ne madanamaMjarI ko apane AvAsasthala meM bulA bhejaa| mahArAjA kA Adeza sunakara maMjarI ko kucha Azcarya huA, kintu vaha tatkAla apanI dAsI ko sAtha lekara mahArAjA ke AvAsa kI ora cala pdd'ii| jaba vaha vahAM pahuMcI taba rAnI kamalA aura kalAvatI bhI vIra vikrama ke kakSa meM hI baiThI thiiN| vIra vikramAditya 327

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mahArAja vikrama ke tejasvI mukha ko dekhakara vaha avAka raha gii| usakA mana bhaya se AkrAnta ho gayA, para vaha kucha bhI anumAna nahIM lagA skii| vikrama ne gambhIra aura teja svaroM meM kahA- 'maMjarI! abhI pAMca-cAra dina pahale madhyarAtri ke samaya tere vAtAyana se eka peTI tere zayanakakSa meM AyI thii| vaha peTI AkAzamArga se AyI aura usa para namakaharAma maMtrI jJAnacandra baiThA thaa|' madanamaMjarI kI AMkhoM ke sAmane aMdhakAra chAne lgaa| yaha dekhakara vIra vikrama bole- 'maMjarI ! dhairya rkhnaa| jisa pApa kA sevana tUne harSapUrvaka kiyA hai, usako sunane meM vyAkulatA kyoM honI caahie| suna, tUne usa jJAnacandra ke sAtha khulakara vyabhicAra kA sevana kiyA aura tUne mere dvArA upahRta mAlA usa nIca premI ko de ddaalii| usa samaya maiM svayaM usa peTI ke bhItara baiThA thaa|' madanamaMjarI kA gulAbI ceharA sapheda ho gyaa| usakI AMkheM lajjAvaza nIce jhuka giiN| usakA hRdaya kAMpa utthaa| vIra vikrama zAMtabhAva se bole- 'vaha peTI AkAzamArga se uThI aura kalikA kI chata para phuNcii| jJAnacandra ne vaha mAlA kalikA ko dI aura kalikA se maiMne prApta kii| mujhe itanA gussA AyA thA ki maiM tere zayanakakSa meM hI terA aura tere premI kA sira dhar3a se alaga kara detA, para maiMne asAdhAraNa dhairya rkhaa| aba maiM tujhe jIvanadAna avazya detA hU~, para tujhe yahAM nahIM rahane duuNgaa| tU cAhe to maiM tujhe tere mAtA-pitA ke pAsa bheja dUM athavA mAlava deza kI sImA ke usa pAra pahuMcA duuN| terI jaisI duSTA ke rakta se maiM apanI talavAra ko athavA apane deza kI dharatI ko kalaMkita karanA nahIM caahtaa|' madanamaMjarI subaka-subakakara rone lagI aura jamIna para mUrcchita hokara gira pdd'ii| kamalA rAnI ne usakI mUrchA ko dUra karane kA prayatna kiyaa| jaba vaha kucha saceta haI taba vaha rotI-rotI bolI- 'kRpAnAtha ! maiM pApinI huuN| mere dvArA bhayaMkara aparAdha huA hai| merA siraccheda kara mujhe isa pApI jIvana se mukta kara deN| Apa jaise mahAn pati milane para bhI maiM....' vaha Age kucha kaha na skii| vIra vikrama bole- 'maMjarI ! nIce ratha taiyAra hai / yadi tU pazcAttApa ke dvArA zuddha honA cAhatI hai to rathika tujhe tere mAtA-pitA ke pAsa chor3a degA aura yadi tU cAhe to tujhe jJAnacandra ke pAsa, mAlava deza kI sImA se pare, chor3a aaegaa| phira tU jahAM cAhe vahAM calI jaanaa|' ____maMjarI puna: mUrcchita hokara gira pdd'ii| kamalArAnI ne usake muMha para zItala jala chidd'kaa| kucha kSaNoM pazcAt usakI mUrchA ttuuttii| kamalA ne mahArAjA kI ora dekhakara kahA- 'svAmI! Apa isako isake mAtA-pitA ke pAsa bheja deN| pazcAttApa se pavitra bana skegii|' 328 vIra vikramAditya

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vikrama ne kahA- 'ThIka hai / ' phira unhoMne ajaya ko bulAkara kahA - 'maMjarI ko isake mAtA-pitA ke pAsa pahuMcAnA hai| isake ratha meM dasa hajAra svarNa mudrAeM aura vividha vastrAlaMkAra rakha denA / ' 'jI!' kahakara ajaya tatkAla calA gyaa| maMjarI kA pIhara suvarNagar3ha avaMtI kosa kI dUrI para thaa| lagabhaga eka ghaTikA ke pazcAt maMjarI ko lekara do ratha suvarNagar3ha kI ora cala pdd'e| suvarNagar3ha eka choTA rAjya thaa| maMjarI vahAM ke rAjA kI kanyA thI / eka bAra vIra vikrama AkheTa ke nimitta usa ora gae the| vahAM unakA vivAha madanamaMjarI huA thaa| vIra vikrama maMjarI ko vidA kara apane zayanakakSa kI ora cale ge| maMjarI ko le jAne vAle tejasvI azvoM vAle ratha aura azvArohI rakSaka teja gati se suvarNagar3ha kI ora jA rahe the| sau kosa kA lambA pravAsa thA aura usameM kamase-kama tIna dina lagane kI saMbhAvanA thI / ratha meM udAsa baiThI madanamaMjarI ke mana meM vicAroM kI uthala-puthala ho rahI thii| usake mana meM jo pApa kA Ananda thA, vahI pApa Aja usako pIMca-pIMca kara pIr3ita kara rahA thA / usake yauvana kI lAlimA para kAlimA puta cukI thii| usane socA, isa sthiti meM mAtA-pitA ko kaise muMha dikhAUMgI ? mAM-bApa yadi pUcheMge ki abhI kaise AyI to maiM kyA uttara dUMgI ? muMha para jo kAlikA puta gaI hai, use kaise dho sakUMgI ? kyA merA pApa binA batAe bhI mukharita nahIM ho jAegA ? maiMne pati aura mAtA-pitA ke gaurava ko dhUla meM milA ddaalaa| are, maiM yauvana ko pacA nahIM skii| usakI uddAma taraMgoM meM baha gaI / kSaNika Ananda ke lie maiMne apAra Ananda ko kho DAlA / are, aba mujhe kyA karanA cAhie? maiM kisI bhI sthiti meM apane mAtApitA ko muMha nahIM dikhA sktii| to phira maiM kahAM jAUM ? mAlava deza kI sImA se pare jAkara mujhe karanA hI kyA hai ? kyA isa rUpa aura yauvana para vizvAsa rakhUM ? nahIM - nahIM, rUpa aura yauvana kabhI vizvasanIya nahIM hote| ye to kAMca kI kUpikAeM haiM! kSaNika asAvadhAnI se ve TUTa jAtI haiN| yadi loga jAna jAeM ki yahI vikramAditya kI priyA madanamaMjarI hai to loga mujhe kitanA dutkAreMge ? manuSya ko jaba mArga nahIM milatA taba vaha atyadhika akulAhaTa kA anubhava karatA hai| madanamaMjarI kI akulAhaTa ratha kI gati se teja bana gaI thI / tIna kosa kI dUrI taya karane ke pazcAt maMjarI ne socA- maiMne koI choTA pApa nahIM kiyA hai| maiMne apane pAtivrata dharma ke Tukar3e-Tukar3e kara ddaale| nArI ke vIra vikramAditya 326

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lie jo zIla prANoM se bhI adhika pyArA hotA hai, usako maiMne apane hI pairoM se rauMda DAlA hai| maiM pIhara kaise jAUM? kauna-sI zakti bacI hai mere meM ? maiMne apanI sampatti ko svayaM apane hI hAthoM jalAkara bhasma kara DAlA hai| maiM bhikhArI se bhI adhika hIna-dIna bana cukI huuN| maiM kisa AdhAra para jIvita rahUM ? kyA mere lie mRtyu zreyaskara nahIM hai ? mRtyu hI mere lie sahI prAyazcitta hogaa| kintu mRtyu kaise prApta karUM? itane-itane rakSaka mere sAtha cala rahe haiN| maiM marUM bhI to kaise ? inhIM vicAroM meM vaha atyadhika Akula-vyAkula ho gaI aura donoM hAthoM se mastaka dabAtI huI mRtyu ko prApta karane kA mArga socane lgii| prAta:kAla ho rahA thaa| pakSI cahacahA rahe the| para maMjarI ko kucha bhI jJAta nahIM ho rahA thaa| kevala ratha kI gati aura mana kI gati kA hI use jJAna thaa| vaha udAsa thii| vicAroM ke jaMgala meM bhaTaka rahI thii| acAnaka usake cehare para AzA kI uSA khila utthii| usakA mana Ananda-vibhora bana gyaa| vaha manahI-mana bola uThI-oha! prAyazcitta kA amRta to mere pAsa hI hai| maiM bhUla hI gaI use / eka hI kSaNa meM mRtyu kI mIThI goda meM sulA dene vAlA amRta mere pAsa meM hai aura maiM vyartha hI usakI Toha meM bhaTaka rahI huuN| madanamaMjarI ne apane dAeM hAtha kI aMgulI meM pahanI huI mudrikA para dhyAna diyaa| isa mudrikA ke choTe-se Dhakkana ke nIce kAlakUTa viSa se siMcita eka vajraratna thaa| madanamaMjarI ne usa sone ke Dhakkana ko alaga kiyaa| zukra ke tAre kI taraha camakatA huA eka hIrA dikhAI diyaa| vaha do kSaNa usa ratna kI ora dekhatI huI mana-hI-mana bola uThI-'oha! jisa dina maiMne pApa kiyA thA, usI dina mujhe viSa pIkara jIvana samApta kara denA cAhie thaa| kintu yauvana aura kAmavAsanA meM aMdhI banI huI maiM usa amRta ko vismRta kara gii| Aja maiM apane pApa kA prAyazcitta kara rahI huuN| svAmInAtha! Apane mujhe prAyazcitta karane kA avasara diyA, yaha ApakI mahAn udAratA hai| Apane mujhe jIvanadAna diyA, yaha ApakI mahAnatA thii| mere ghora pApa kA prAyazcitta mRtyu hI ho sakatI hai| Apake caraNa-kamaloM meM yadi maiM prANa-tyAga karatI to acchA hotaa| mahArAja! Apa mere pApa kI smRti na kreN| mujhe kSamA kreN|' ___ itanA mana-hI-mana bolakara maMjarI ne tIvra viSa vAle hIre ko cUsA aura mAtra do kSaNoM meM vaha lur3haka gii| usake prANa-pakherU ur3a ge| aura usa kAphile ke nAyaka ne eka sundara jalAzaya ko dekhakara prAta:kArya sampanna karane ke lie vahIM rukane kA nizcaya kiyaa| donoM ratha aura sabhI vyakti usa jalAzaya ke pAsa ruka ge| 330 vIra vikramAditya

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dUsare ratha meM baiThI huI dAsI ratha se nIce utrii| nAyaka ne kahA-'devI maMjarI ko kaho ki jalAzaya sundara hai / prAta:karma kI nivRtti ke lie yaha sthAna upayukta hai|' 'jI' kahakara dAsI madanamaMjarI ke banda ratha ke pAsa gaI aura dvAra kholakara bolI- 'devI..... kintu rAnI ke zarIra kI ora dekhate hI vaha cauMka pdd'ii| vaha cillAI- 'rAnIjI ! rAnIjI ! ' rAnI madanamaMjarI to kucha hI kSaNoM pUrva ananta kI yAtrA ke lie prasthAna kara cukI thii| dAsI kI ghabarAhaTa dekhakara nAyaka nikaTa Akara bolA- 'kyA huA, raMbhA ?' dAsI ne ratha para car3hakara rAnI kI kAyA ko ttttolaa| rAnI kI deha nirjIva aura nizceSTa par3I thii| vaha bolI- 'vijaya bhAI ! rAnIjI mara cukI haiN|' 'mRtyu!" 'hAM, Akara dekheM to / ' nAyaka ne rAnI kA hAtha pkdd'aa| use vizvAsa ho gayA ki rAnI ne AtmahatyA kara lI hai| nAyaka ne socA, aba kyA karanA cAhie ? yahAM se avantI dasa kosa dUra hai aura suvarNagar3ha nabbe kosa / vijaya ne tatkAla nirNaya kara liyA aura apane kAphile ko avantI kI ora mor3a diyA / 61. nagara meM eka yogI bhojana se nivRtta hokara vIra vikrama apane ArAmagRha meM gae taba rAta ke ujAgara ke kAraNa unakI AMkheM nIMda se bhArI ho rahI thiiN| donoM rAniyoM-kamalA aura kalA bhI vahAM A phuNcii| vikrama ne kahA- 'abhI tuma donoM apane-apane kakSa meM jaao| mujhe nIMda lenI hI par3egI / ' vikrama eka palaMga para soye / sote hI unheM nIMda A giiN| donoM rAniyAM bhI apane - apane kakSa meM jAkara vizrAma karane lgiiN| kucha hI kSaNoM ke pazcAt ve bhI bharapUra nIMda meM calI gyiiN| do ghaTikA bItI hoMgI ki eka paricArikA daur3atI huI mahAdevI kamalA ke khaMDa kI ora AyI aura banda kapATa para dastaka dii| kamalA kucha hI kSaNa pahale gulAbI nIMda meM calI gayI thI / dAsI ne do-tIna bAra dastaka dI / kamalA jAga gyii| usane kahA - 'kauna ?' 'mahAdevI! maiM pUrNimA ! eka samAcAra... I' 'andara A jA!' kamalA zayyA para soyI rhii| abhI bhI usakI AMkhoM se nIMda jhAMka rahI thii| T vIra vikramAditya 331

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pUrNimA khaMDa meM gayI aura kamalA rAnI ke samakSa khar3I rahakara bolI'mahAdevI ! rAnI madanamaMjarI kA zava lekara vijaya lauTa AyA hai|' yaha samAcAra sunate hI kamalA bichaune para baiTha gaI aura bolI-'tU kyA kaha rahI hai?' 'maiM satya kaha rahI hUM, mahAdevI! sabhI bhavana ke prAMgaNa meM khar3e haiN|' 'oha, tU jaldI jA aura vijaya ko mahArAjA ke ArAmagRha meM bheja de', kahakara kamalA palaMga se nIce utarI, vastroM ko vyavasthita kara mahArAja ke ArAmagRha kI ora gyii| kamalA ne eka dAsI ko kalA ko bulAne ke lie bhejA aura svayaM daravAjA kholakara aMdara gyii| vIra vikrama zAntabhAva se so rahe the| nidrA gAr3ha thii| kamalA palaMga ke pAsa gayI aura svAmI ke mastaka para hAtha rakhate hue bolI- 'kRpAnAtha!' priyA kA madhura svara! vikrama ne dhIre-se AMkheM kholii| kamalA rAnI kI ora dekhaa| kamalA bolI- 'svAmin ! devI madanamaMjarI kA nirjIva deh....|' 'kyA ?' kahakara vikrama zayyA para baiTha ge| usI kSaNa mahApratihAra ajaya aura nAyaka vijaya bhI A phuNce| vIra vikrama kA jayakAra karate hue ve andara aae| usI samaya kalAvatI bhI A phuNcii| vikrama zayyA se nIce utarakara eka Asana para baiTha ge| vijaya ne hAtha jor3akara madanamaMjarI ke AtmahatyA kA vRttAnta kaha sunaayaa| yaha sunakara vikrama kucha samaya taka stabdha raha ge| vIra vikrama ne socA aura yaha nirNaya kiyA ki isakA dAha-saMskAra eka rAnI ke rUpa meM honA caahie| unhoMne ajaya se kahA- 'mahAmaMtrI ko bulA bhejo aura yaha bAta prasArita kara do ki devI madanamaMjarI kA avasAna ho gayA hai|' aparAhna ke samaya taka sArA rAjabhavana zokasAgara meM DUba gayA aura saMdhyA se pUrva rAnI madanamaMjarI kI zava-yAtrA dhUmadhAma se zmazAna para pahuMcI aura ucita DhaMga se rAnI kA dAha-saMskAra sampanna huaa| kamalA jAna gaI thI ki maMjarI ne prAyazcitta karane ke lie hI deha-tyAga kiyA hai| parantu aura kisI ke mana meM aisA saMzaya huA hI nhiiN| tIna dina bIta gae / cauthe dina vikrama snAna Adi se nivRtta hokara apane kakSa meM baiThe the| usa samaya ajaya kakSa meM praviSTa huA aura praNAma kara bolA'kRpAnAtha! mahAkAla mahAdevI ke maMdira se do pujArI Ae haiN|' 332 vIra vikramAditya

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'abhI?' 'hAM, kRpAnAtha! koI saMnyAsI mahAkAla ke maMdira meM AyA hai aura vaha apane donoM paira mahAdeva ke liMga kI ora lambe kara so rahA hai| pujAriyoM ne use bahuta samajhAyA, kintu vaha vaise hI so rahA hai|' 'bhagavAn mahAkAla kA apamAna karane vAlA kyA abhI taka jIvita hai ? ajaya! pujAriyoM ke sAtha do-cAra sainikoM ko bhejakara usa saMnyAsI ko maMdira se bAhara nikAla do aura yadi vaha na mAne to usa para kor3e barasAe jaaeN|' ajaya praNAma kara tatkAla calA gyaa| idhara mahAkAla ke maMdira meM bahuta halacala ho rahI thii| saMnyAsI mahAkAla ke liMga kI ora paira kara ArAma se so rahA thaa| usakI dAr3hI bahuta lambI thI / usake mastaka ke bAla lambe aura avyavasthita the / usake vadana para apUrva teja thaa| usake nayana baMda the, phira bhI yaha sahaja anumAna hotA thA ki vaha tejasvI hai| usakA zarIra sudRr3ha aura sugaThita thA / pujAriyoM ne pahale saMnyAsI se anunaya-vinaya kiyaa| saMnyAsI apane Agraha para ar3A rhaa| pujArI roSa meM A ge| ve kaTu zabdoM meM saMnyAsI kI bhartsanA karate hue bole- 'are o pAgala ! bhagavAn kI ora paira karate tujhe lajjA nahIM aatii| lagatA hai, tU saMnyAsI nahIM, koI ayogya hai / ' saMnyAsI mauna ! uttara kauna de ? pujArI apanA prayatna kara rahe the| gAMva ke hajAroM nara-nArI ekatrita ho ge| saba isa vicitra saMnyAsI ko dekha rahe the| itane meM hI cAra sainikoM ke sAtha ve donoM pujArI vahAM pahuMca ge| mukhya pujArI saMnyAsI ke pAsa pahuMcA aura anunaya karate hue bolA - 'bAbAjI ! aba Apa uTha jAie, anyathA hameM anucita prakAra se bhI ApakI isa harakata ko miTAnA hogaa|' saMnyAsI ne koI uttara nahIM diyaa| vaha usI prakAra se so rahA thaa| loga soca rahe the - yaha saMnyAsI kauna hogA ? bhagavAn mahAkAla ke tejasvI aura prabhAvaka liMga ke samakSa paira kara kyoM so rahA hai ? cAroM sainika maMdira ke garbhagRha meM ge| pujArI ne unako sArI sthiti batAI / nAyaka bolA-'bAbAjI ko uThAkara maMdira ke bAhara pheMka denA cAhie / ' usane apane sAthiyoM ke sAtha bAbAjI ko uThAne kA prayatna kiyA, kintu yaha kyA....bAbAjI Tasa se masa nahIM hue| eka sUta bhI vaha Upara nahIM utthe| sabhI pujArI aura nAyaka Azcarya meM DUba gae / nAyaka ke mana meM vicAra AyA- are, maiM pAMca mana jitanA vajana hAtha se uThAkara pheMka detA hUM, para Aja vIra vikramAditya 333

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eka saMnyAsI ko uThA nahIM paayaa| nAyaka ne apane sAthI kI ora dekhakara kahA'mAdhava! mere hAtha meM kor3A de-yaha pAgala aise nahIM smjhegaa|' __ mAdhava ne camar3e kA kor3A nAyaka ke hAtha meM sauNpaa| nAyaka ne kor3e ko havA meM ghumAte hue kahA- 'bAbAjI ! suno, maiM pAMca taka kI ginatI boluuNgaa| yadi tuma usa avadhi taka uThakara bAhara nahIM cale gae to mujhe rAjAjJA kA pAlana karanA hI hogaa|' saMnyAsI mauna thaa| nAyaka ne kahA- 'ek|' bAbAjI ke siharana taka nahIM huii| 'do, tIna, cAra / bAbAjI! aba aMtima aMka zeSa hai| phira Apa mujhe doSa na deN|' do kSaNa zAnta rahakara nAyaka ne kahA- 'paaNc|' aura usI ke sAtha usane bAbAbI ke zarIra para kor3e kA tIvra prahAra kiyaa| bAbAjI tanika bhI vicalita nahIM hue| __ idhara rAjabhavana meM mahAmaMtrI A gae the aura vIra vikrama unake sAtha mahAkAla ke apamAna kI carcA kara rahe the| udhara Upara kI maMjila para rAnI kamalA ke kakSa se jora kI cIkha sunAI dI-kucha hI kSaNoM pazcAt kalAvatI rAnI bhI cIkha utthii| dAsiyAM Akula-vyAkula ho giiN| cIkha sunakara vIra vikrama aura mahAmaMtrI donoM Upara gae aura dekhA ki donoM rAniyAM cillAtI huI dharatI para tar3apa rahI haiN| __ itane meM hI rAnI kamalAvatI puna: cIkha utthii| usakI kAyA simaTa rahI thii| aisA pratIta ho rahA thA mAno usa para kor3e mAre jA rahe hoN| kalAvatI bhI puna: cIkhatI huI tar3apane lgii| vIra vikrama ne pUchA-'priye, kyA ho rahA hai?' __'mahArAja ! mere zarIra para adRzya rUpa se kor3e barasa rahe haiN| Apa tatkAla mahAkAla ke maMdira meM padhAreM aura bAbAjI para kor3e na mArane ke lie kheN|' kalAvatI ne khaa| tatkAla vIra vikrama aura mahAmaMtrI ratha meM baiThakara tIvra gati se maMdira kI ora ge| idhara nAyaka bAbAjI ke zarIra para dasa kor3e mAra cukA thA, para bAbAjI ke eka roeM meM bhI vicalana nahIM thaa| nAyaka ne apane kapAla se pasInA poMchate hue kahA- 'are o DhoMgI bAbA! tU mujhe thakA nahIM sakegA-maiM isa kor3e se terI camar3I udher3a duuNgaa|' 334 vIra vikramAditya

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vAstava meM nAyaka thakakara cUra ho gayA thaa| vaha asamaMjasa meM par3a gayA thaa| nAyaka ne kucha vizrAma kiyA aura puna: kor3e mArane kA nizcaya kara utthaa| usane apanA kor3A uThAyA, itane meM hI mahArAja vIra vikrama kA jaya-jayakAra sunAI diyaa| mahAmaMtrI ke sAtha vIra vikrama maMdira ke garbhagRha meM praviSTa hue aura pavitra zivaliMga kI ora paira kara soye hue saMnyAsI kI ora dekhaa| mahAmaMtrI ne bhI usa ora dRSTi kii| vIra vikrama ne nAyaka se kahA-'aba tuma rahane do| maiM svayaM bAbAjI ko smjhaauuNgaa|' vIra vikrama bAbAjI ke mastaka kI ora ukaDUM Asana meM baiThakara bole'mahAtman ! kRpA kara Apa uTheM aura ApakI jo icchA ho, vaha prakaTa kareM-Apa isa prakAra mahAkAla kI AzAtanA kyoM kara rahe haiM ? Apa jaise avadhUtoM ko to mahAkAla kI arcanA karanI caahie|' ye avadhUta aura koI nahIM, mahAjJAnI AcArya siddhasena divAkara hI the| dAr3hI aura mastaka ke bAla bar3ha jAne aura bAraha varSa kA vanavAsa bhogane ke kAraNa unako pahacAna pAnA kaThina ho gayA thaa| gurudeva dvArA pradatta prAyazcitta ko vahana karate hue ve bAraha varSoM se vana-pradeza meM ghUmate hue avadhUta kI vezabhUSA meM ArAdhanA kara rahe the| aba bAraha varSa pUrNa ho rahe the| ve kisI rAjA ko puna: pratibodhita kara gurudeva ke samakSa jAnA cAhate the| ve vIra vikramAditya ko bodhI prApta karAne kI icchA se avaMtI meM Ae the| vIra vikrama ke vacana bAbAjI ke kAnoM meM pdd'e| unhoMne mRdutA se AMkheM kholI aura kahA- 'rAjan ! maiM mahAdeva kI AzAtanA karanA nahIM cAhatA, kintu stuti karanA cAhatA hUM, para ve merI stuti ko sahana nahIM kreNge|' vIra vikrama bole-'mahAtman! Apa to mahAn yogI haiN| ApakI stuti bhagavAn mahAkAla kyoM nahIM sahana kareMge?' 'rAjan ! merI stuti ajaba hai| saMbhava hai, usake prabhAva se yaha liMga adRzya ho jAe aura isake sthAna para koI duusrii....|' tatkAla mukhya pujArI bolA-'na bhUto na bhvissyti| Apa hameM yaha bhaya na dikhaaeN|' rAjA ne socA-yaha yogI jhUThA bhaya to nahIM dikhA rahA? apanA mahattva bar3hAne ke lie aisI bAteM to nahIM kara rahA? vIra vikrama ne kahA-'yogIzvara! Apa apanI stuti prAraMbha kareM hama Apake camatkAra kA darzana kreNge|' dUsare hI kSaNa bAbAjI khar3e ho ge| vIra vikramAditya 335

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usI samaya mahAdevI kamalArAnI kA jayanAda sunAI diyaa| kucha hI kSaNoM meM vikrama kI dasa-bAraha rAniyAM aura pAMca-sAta maMtrI rathoM se utarakara maMdira ke pAsa aae| logoM ne unakA satkAra kiyaa| ve saba maMdira meM ge| ina rAniyoM meM rAnI kamalA aura kalAvatI bhI thIM, jinakI pITha para kor3e ke nizAna spaSTa dIkha rahe the| pITha prahAra se sUja gaI thI / avadhUta donoM hAtha jor3akara khar3e the| mana meM tIna bAra namaskAra mahAmaMtra kA smaraNa kara unhoMne gIrvANa vANI meM stuti karate hue pahalA zloka uccarita kiyA'kalyANamaMdiramudAramavadyabhedi, bhItAbhayapradamaninditamahripadmam / saMsArasAgaranimajjadazeSajantu, potAyamAnamabhinamya jinezvarasya // ' maMdira ke bhUgRha meM pUrNa zAnti vyApta thI / saMnyAsI ke veza meM mahAjJAnI AcArya siddhasena divAkara eka-eka zloka bolate jA rahe the / sAtavAM zloka bolate hI dharatI ke kAMpane kA anubhava huA aura AThaveM zloka ke prAraMbha hote hI zivaliMga kAMpane lgaa| AcArya divAkara ke netra muMde hue the / ve stuti meM saMlagna the| sabhI avAk hokara suna rahe the| gyArahavAM zloka AcArya ke mukha se nikalA 'yasmin haraprabhRtayo'pi hataprabhAvAH, sopi tvayA ratipatiH kSapitaH kSaNena / -- vidhyApitA hutabhujaH payasA'tha yena, pItaM na kiM tadapi durddharavADavena // ' gyArahavAM zloka pUrA huA aura zivaliMga se dhuAM uThane lagA / mahApuruSa stuti ko Age bar3hAte hI jA rahe the| aura eka camatkAra huaa| zivaliMga acAnaka adRzya ho gayA aura nIce kI dharatI tharatharAne lagI / stuti kI askhalita zabdadhArA baha rahI thii| teIsavAM zloka prAraMbha huA'zyAmaM gabhIragiramujjvalahemaratna, siMhAsanasthamiha bhavyazikhaNDinastvAm / Alokayanti rabhasena nadantamucaizcAmIkarAdrizirasIva navAmbuvAham // ' aura sabake Azcarya kA koI ThikAnA nahIM rhaa| zivaliMga ke sthAna para bhagavAn pArzvanAtha kI zyAmala, bhavya aura tejasvI pratimA bAhara nikalane lagI / 336 vIra vikramAditya

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loga visphArita netroM se dekhane lge| pujArI kAMpane lge| rAjA vikrama aura maMtrI mugdha ho ge| aura kamalArAnI tathA kalArAnI kI pITha para dIkhane vAle kor3e ke cihna miTa gae aura pIr3A adRzya ho gii| avadhUta kI stuti cala rahI thI aura unhoMne camAlIsa zloka pUre kara AMkheM kholiiN| sAmane mahAkAla kA zivaliMga adRzya ho gayA thA aura vahAM bhagavAn pArzvanAtha kI bhavya mUrti zobhita ho rahI thii| dharaNendra aura padmAvatI ke prabhAva se yaha pratimA nikalI ho, aisA laga rahA thaa| siddhasena divAkara kA jayanAda gUMjane lgaa| vIra vikrama aura sabhI rAniyAM AcArya ke caraNoM meM praNata ho ge| usI dina divAkara ke guru AcArya vRddhavAdisUri bhI avaMtI meM pdhaare| guruziSya kA milana huA aura gurudeva ne puna: apane ziSya ko paTTaziSya ke rUpa meM svIkAra kiyaa| vIra vikrama ne usI maMdira meM avaMtI pArzvanAtha kI pratimA pratiSThApita kara maMdira ko aura adhika sundara aura ramaNIya banA ddaalaa| aura eka dUsare pavitra sthAna meM mahAkAladeva kA bhavya jyotirliMga puna: sthApita kara eka bhavya maMdira kA nirmANa kraayaa| 62. devakumAra pratiSThAnapura meM Aja utsava thaa| rAjabhavana ke vizAla prAMgaNa meM devakumAra kA solahavAM janmadivasa manAyA jA rahA thaa| sAtha hI sAtha Aja usakA vidyAdhyayana kA kAla bhI sampanna ho rahA thA aura Aja usake AcArya usakI parIkSA bhI lene vAle the| pandraha varSa pUre kara Aja devakumAra solahaveM varSa meM padArpaNa kara rahA thaa| usane rAjanIti, vyAkaraNa, tarka, darzana tathA lalita kalAoM meM savA sau vidyArthiyoM meM prathama sthAna prApta kiyA thaa| anta meM zastra-saMcAlana, azva-cAlana, mallayuddha Adi kI parIkSAeM zeSa thiiN| prAMgaNa ke eka ora strIvarga baiThA thaa| usameM rAja-parivAra kI, nagara-zreSThiyoM kI, adhikArI varga kI, rAja-saMbaMdhiyoM kI tathA vividha vargoM kI striyAM baiThI thiiN| mahAdevI vijayA aura unakI putrI devI sukumArI sabase Age baiThI thii| sukumArI apane ikalaute putra devakumAra ko dekhakara harSita ho rahI thii| vIra vikramAditya 337

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eka bAra saMgItajJa ke rUpa meM vikrama yahAM Ae the aura sukumArI ke hRdaya se nara-dveSa ko samApta kara usase vivAhasUtra meM baMdhe the| sukumArI garbhavatI huI aura vikrama saMgIta pariSad ke bahAne apanI rAjadhAnI meM A gae the| rAjakArya aura vividha jijJAsAoM kI tRpti meM ve itane ota-prota ho gae ki unake mana se sukumArI kI smRti lagabhaga miTa cukI thI / sukumArI apane priyatama ko kSaNabhara ke lie bhI nahIM bhUlI thI / kAmadeva ke samAna surUpa putra use prApta huaa| putra bar3A hone lgaa| pati kI pratIkSA karatekarate usake AMsU bhI sUkha gye| devakumAra ko taiyAra karane ke lie usane apanI sArI zakti lagA dI / vIra vikrama ne sukumArI se vidA hote samaya use eka peTI dI thii| usameM apanA sahI paricaya likha rakhA thaa| sukumArI ne vaha peTI nagara se bAhara eka bhavana meM surakSita rakhavA dI thii| isa peTI kA smaraNa use rahA hI nhiiN| vaha use sarvathA bhUla gaI, kyoMki rAjabhavana meM Ane ke pazcAt vaha nagara ke bAhara vAle bhavana meM gaI nahIM / Aja apane priya putra devakumAra kA janmotsava thA aura vidyAbhyAsa kA aMtima din| devakumAra pratyeka viSaya meM prathama zreNI meM uttIrNa rahA thaa| mAtA kA hRdaya prasannatA kA anubhava kara rahA thaa| use sabase adhika prasannatA to isa bAta kI thI ki devakumAra kI AkRti pitA kI AkRti ke samAna hI thI / putra ko dekhakara mAtA ko svAmI kI smRti ho AtI / talavArayuddha meM jaba devakumAra ne rAjya ke mahAbalAdhikRta ke putra ko parAjita kiyA, taba sArI sabhA harSadhvani se gUMja utthii| devakumAra ne donoM hAtha jor3akara sabako namana kiyaa| mallayuddha prArambha huaa| devakumAra kA pratidvandvI thA eka brAhmaNa yuvaka / eka ghaMTe taka donoM ke vividha dAMvapeca calate rahe / anta meM koI parAjita nahIM huaa| aMta meM donoM samakakSa ghoSita hue| phira dhanurvidyA kI parIkSA huI aura usameM devakumAra prathama AyA / phira vividha zastra-saMcAlana meM bhI devakumAra prathama AyA / AcArya ne sabhI vidyArthiyoM meM devakumAra ko zreSTha ghoSita kiyaa| samagra sabhA ne dhvani kI / mahArAjA zAlivAhana ne apane dohitra ko chAtI se lgaayaa| sAre rAjya meM ghara-ghara miThAiyAM bAMTI giiN| devakumAra apane nAnA kA caraNasparza kara sIdhA apanI mAtA aura nAnI ke pAsa aayaa| mahAdevI ne devakumAra ke mastaka para hAtha rakhakara AzIrvAda diyaa| sukumArI ne sajala nayanoM se devakumAra ko chAtI se lagAkara mastaka cuumaa| 338 vIra vikramAditya

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rAtri meM mAtA aura putra eka hI zayanagRha meM sote the| sone kA samaya huaa| devakumAra apanI zayyA para jAkara so gyaa| Aja use zrama adhika huA thA, phira bhI use nIMda nahIM A rahI thI; kyoMki Aja vaha sArI parIkSAoM meM prathama AyA thaa| usane socA, mere pitA sAmAnya saMgItakAra to nahIM haiN| avazya hI ve koI vIra puruSa haiN| isake binA mere meM itanI zreSThatA A nahIM sktii| merI mAM pitAjI ke viSaya meM kucha nahIM jaantii| ve kahAM rahate haiM, yaha bhI use jJAta nahIM hai| Aja isa bAta kI jAnakArI karake hI sonA hai| ina vicAroM meM uchalakUda karatA huA devakumAra jAgRtAvasthA meM zayyA para karavaTeM badalane lgaa| jaba AdamI kucha avasthA prApta karatA hai, taba aise vicAra usameM ubharate hI haiN| lagabhaga do ghaTikA ke pazcAt sukumArI apane mAtA-pitA ko praNAma kara zayanagRha meM aayii| mAtA ko dekhate hI devakumAra zayyA para baiTha gyaa| yaha dekhakara sukumArI bolI- 'kyoM beTA! abhI taka jAga rahe ho?' 'hAM, mAM! Aja mujhe nIMda nahIM A rahI hai| Aja mere dhanurvidyA ke AcArya mujhe zAbAzI dete hue bole- 'deva! tuma kisI mahAn pitA ke putra ho| isake binA itanI zreSThatA A nahIM sktii|' mAM ! merA citta pitAjI se milane ke lie Akula ho rahA hai| jaba-jaba maiM tumase pitAzrI ke bAre meM pUchatA hUM, tuma yA to gamagIna ho jAtI ho yA bAta TAla detI ho| kyA vAstava meM hI tuma pitAzrI kA atA-patA nahIM batA sakatIM?' sukumArI ke mukha para vicAroM kI badalI chA gii| do kSaNa mauna rahakara vaha bolI 'deva! tere pitAzrI mere nayana-mana meM sadA nivAsa karate haiN|' 'to phira ve yahAM kyoM nahIM Ate?' "ve pUrva bhArata kI kisI saMgIta pariSada meM bhAga lene gae the| vahAM se lauTa Ane ke lie kahA thA, para ve Aja taka nahIM aae| mere pitAjI ne unakI bahuta khoja kI, para unakA koI atA-patA nahIM milaa|' 'mAM! kyA mere pitAzrI ke sAtha tumhArI anabana thI?' 'nahIM, beTA! ve to mere prANoM ke svAmI the| prANanAtha se kaisI anabana?' - do kSaNa socakara devakumAra bolA- 'mAM! unakA deza kauna-sA hai, kyA tuma mujhe batA sakatI ho?' 'nahIM, beTA! yadi mujhe jJAta hotA to....' kahatI-kahatI sukumArI zayyA se acAnaka uTha khar3I huii| Aja pandraha varSa pazcAt use eka vismRta bAta yAda vIra vikramAditya 336

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aayii| vaha bolI-'oha! viraha aura viyoga kI vyathA ke kAraNa maiM eka mahattvapUrNa bAta bhUla hI gii| 'kauna-sI bAta, mAM?' __ 'jAte samaya tere pitAzrI ne mujhe eka peTI saMbhalAI thii| mujhe patA nahIM usameM kyA hai ? peTI ke viSaya meM unhoMne kahA thA ki isako pUrNa surakSita rkhnaa| maiM isa peTI kI bAta hI bhUla gii| dekheM, usa peTI meM kyA hai?' 'mAM, vaha peTI kahAM hai?' 'nagarI ke bAhara vAle udyAna ke bhavana meM / mere mana meM puruSa-jAti ke prati bhayaMkara dveSa thA, isalie mere pitAjI ne mujhe usa bhavana meM rakhA thaa| maiMne usa peTI ko surakSita rUpa se eka koTharI meM rakhA thaa| kala hama donoM sAtha jAkara usa peTI ko dekheNge| usameM kyA hai, maiM kaha nahIM sktii|' 'mAM, pandraha varSa bIta gae haiN| kyA vaha peTI surakSita rahI hogI?' 'hAM, beTA ! jaba se maiM vahAM se AyI hUM, taba se Aja taka usa koTharI ko kholane kA prasaMga hI nahIM aayaa| usa bhavana kI rakSA ke lie vahAM cAra AdamI rahate haiN| maiM usa bhavana meM gaI hI nhiiN|' 'to mAM! abhI cleN|' mAtA sukumArI ne haMsate-haMsate kahA- 'beTA! yaha bAta yAda Ate hI hRdaya kI adhIratA bahuta bar3ha gaI hai| tujhe to kevala apane pitAzrI kI jAnakArI karanI hai aura mujhe to sarvasva kI jAnakArI karanI hai| kintu abhI rAta bahuta bIta cukI hai| abhI vahAM jAnA ucita nahIM hai| aba tU ArAma se so jaa|' / ___ devakumAra mAM ko praNAmakara apanI zayyA para jAkara so gyaa| kucha hI samaya pazcAt vaha nidrAdhIna ho gyaa| sukumArI ko nIMda nahIM aayii| use atIta kI smRti ho aayii| 'paTayoga' rAga aura 'rAgamaMjarI' kI avyaktadhvani kAnoM meM gUMjane lgii| vaha atIta kI smRti meM kho gyii| eka-eka dRzya usakI AMkhoM ke sAmane nAcane lgaa| vikrama kI smRti, vikramasiMha ke sAtha vivAha-sUtra meM baMdhane kI smRti Adi-Adi smRtiyAM eka-eka kara Ane lgiiN| isa prakAra vicAroM ke saghana jaMgala meM bhaTakate-bhaTakate sArI rAta bIta gyii| nitya niyama ke anusAra vaha uThI aura prAta: kArya se nivRtta hone ke lie kakSa se bAhara niklii| devakumAra abhI nidrAdhIna thaa| zauca Adi se nivRtta hokara sukumArI mAtA-pitA ko praNAma karane gii| mahArAjA zAlivAhana aura mahAdevI vijayA daMtadhAvana kara rahe the| sukumArI ne devakumAra ke pitAzrI dvArA dI gaI peTI kI bAta khii| donoM ko bahuta prasannatA huI aura mahArAjA ne eka ratha taiyAra karane kI bAta khii| 340 vIra vikramAditya

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devakumAra bhI snAna Adi se nivRtta hokara taiyAra baiThA thaa| kucha hI samaya pazcAt sukumArI, mahAdevI vijayA aura devakumAra - tInoM ratha meM baiThakara nagarI ke bAhara vAle bhavana kI ora cala pdd'e| Aja pUre pandraha varSoM ke pazcAt sukumArI ne apane cira-paricita bhavana meM praveza kiyaa| pandraha varSoM se vaha koTharI banda par3I thii| sukumArI ne koTharI kA tAlA kholA, daravAje ko kucha kSaNoM taka khulA rakha vaha andara gayI / vIra vikrama dvArA pradatta peTI jyoM kI tyoM par3I thii| usa para dhUla kI parateM car3ha cukI thiiN| sukumArI peTI uThAkara bAhara A gyii| mAM ne kahA- 'beTI ! aisI mahattva kI bAta mujhe itane varSoM taka yAda nahIM AyI ? calo, aba ise rAjabhavana meM jAkara hI kholeMge / ' aisA hI huA / rAjabhavana meM pahuMcane ke pazcAt mahArAjA zAlivAhana ke samakSa sukumArI ne peTI kholii| usameM eka tAr3apatra, eka rAjamudrikA aura pAMca atyanta mUlyavAn alaMkAra the| ratnoM kI camacamAhaTa dekhakara saba vimUr3ha raha ge| sukumArI ke lie alaMkAra mUlyavAn nahIM the, kintu usake lie do hI mUlyavAn the - eka rAjamudrikA aura eka tAr3apatra / sukumArI ne sabase pahale tAr3apatra kholakara pddh'aa| par3hate-par3hate vaha harSavibhora ho utthii| usake cehare para apAra Ananda kI UrmiyAM aThakheliyAM karane lgiiN| devakumAra mAM kI ora apalaka nayanoM se dekha rahA thaa| usane mana hI mana socA, avazya hI isa tAr3apatra meM mere pitAzrI kA paricaya hai / sukumArI mana hI mana usa tAr3apar3a ko par3ha gyii| vaha harSa se Atmavibhora ho utthii| usake nayanoM se harSa ke AMsU nikala pdd'e| ve kapola se lur3hakakara tAr3apatra para par3ane lage / sabhI Azcarya se sukumArI ko dekhane lage / 1 mAM ne pUchA - 'sukumArI ! kyA isa tAr3apAtra meM unakA atA-patA hai ?' sukumArI ne lajjAbhAva se patra pitA ke hAtha meM rakha diyaa| zAlivAhana ne bhI mana hI mana sArA patra par3ha ddaalaa| unakA ceharA bhI khila utthaa| ve harSa bhare svaroM meM bole- 'devI! hRdaya meM Ananda kA sAgara umar3a rahA hai| hamAre dAmAda koI choTImoTI zakti nahIM haiN| ve mAlavadeza ke svAmI mahArAja - rAjezvara paraduHkhabhaMjaka vIra vikramAditya haiM / ' 'Apa kyA kaha rahe haiM ?' 'maiM saca kaha rahA huuN|' mahArAjA ne khaa| phira devakumAra kI ora dRSTi pasArakara bole - 'beTA! tU vAstava meM hI eka mahAn aura pratApI pitA kA putra hai / ' vIra vikramAditya 341

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devakumAra vinamra svaroM meM bolA-'nAnAjI ! mere pitA mahAn haiN| para unhoMne merI nirdoSa mAM kI sudha-budha kyoM nahIM lI? merI mAM pandraha varSoM se unake lie tarasatI rahI aura ve isako sarvathA bhUla ge| yaha kaisA nyAya ? vismRti strIsulabha durbalatA hai| merI mAM peTI ko bhUla gyii| use kyA patA ki isa peTI meM usake sarvasva kA paricaya hai| kintu mere pitA merI mAM ko kyoM bhUla gae? isa dRSTi se unhoMne eka abalA ko satAne kA ghora aparAdha kiyA hai| maiM svayaM avaMtI jAUMgA aura pitAzrI ko yathArthabodha karAkara apanA paricaya duuNgaa|' 'nahIM, beTA! ve bhArata ke zreSTha aura mahAn puruSa haiN| unake sAtha saMgharSa karanA ucita nahIM hai| maiM bhI tere sAtha jaauuNgii|' sukumArI ne khaa| ___'nahIM, mAM! pandraha varSoM bAda isa prakAra jAnA tumhAre lie ucita nahIM hai| jo mahApuruSa apanI vivAhita patnI aura putra ko bhUla gae haiM, unakI parIkSA to karanI hI hogii| pahale maiM akelA vahAM jAtA hUM, phira tuma sabako AdarapUrvaka le jaauuNgaa|' isa viSaya meM bahuta vicAra-vimarza claa| anta meM sukumArI, devakumAra, do-tIna paricArikAeM, cAra rakSaka aura do sevaka sAtha meM jAeM-aisA nizcaya huaa| vahAM jAkara kirAe para koI makAna lekara rahanA aura phira devakumAra kI icchAnusAra vIra vikrama ke samakSa prakaTa honA, yaha taya huaa| devakumAra kI bhAvanA thI ki vaha akelA hI jAe, kintu nAnA-nAnI kI bhAvanA ko vaha TAla nahIM skaa| pUrI taiyArI kara devakumAra apanI mAM ke sAtha avaMtI kI ora cala pdd'aa| 63. harasiddha mAtA kI ArAdhanA kahAM pratiSThAnapura aura kahAM avaMtI nagarI ! bahuta lambA pravAsa thaa| kama se kama do mAsa lagane kI saMbhAvanA thii| sukumArI kA hRdaya bAMsoM uchala rahA thaa| solaha varSa kA svapna sAkAra hone vAlA thaa| hRdaya meM piumilana kI mAdhurI nAca rahI thii| viraha kI vedanA aba samApta hone vAlI thii| viraha-vyathA kama hotI jA rahI thI aura usake sthAna para hRdaya meM priyatama se milane kI tIvra AkAMkSA ubhara rahI thii| yauvana ke prathama caraNa meM priyatama kA yoga milA thA aura kucha hI samaya pazcAt solaha varSoM kA virAT viyoga use bhoganA par3A, mAno ki jIvana kI madhura kalpanAoM ko cakanAcUra karane ke lie koI viMdhyAcala bIca meM A gayA ho| 342 vIra vikramAditya

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kintu Aja vaha eka tejasvI putra ke sAtha apane mahAn svAmI se milane kI AzA ke sAtha pravAsa kara rahI thii| solaha varSoM bAda usakA yauvana ubhAra pA rahA thaa| solaha varSoM ke bAda mAno rAgamaMjarI kI svara-laharI usake rakta meM tUphAna khar3A kara rahI thii| cAlIsa dina taka pravAsa karate-karate ve avaMtI ke nikaTa vikramagar3ha meM A phuNce| vikramagar3ha avaMtI se mAtra tIna kosa dUra thaa| yaha ziprA nadI ke kinAre para basA huA eka sundara nagara thaa| vikramagar3ha pahuMcate-pahuMcate saMdhyA kA samaya ho gayA thA, isalie vahIM rAtrivAsa karane kA nizcaya kara, ve nadI-taTa para nirmita eka pAMthazAlA meM tthhre| mAM kI AjJA lekara devakumAra gAMva meM gyaa| vahAM kI sthiti kA avalokana kara usane vahIM rahane kA nizcaya kara liyaa| vaha gAMva meM eka makAna rahane ke lie nizcita kara mAM ke pAsa Akara bolA- 'mAM! rahane ke lie uttama makAna kI vyavasthA ho gayI hai| hama saba vahIM rheNge| yahAM se avaMtI bhI dUra nahIM hai|' 'mujhe yahAM rahane meM koI Apatti nahIM hai, kintutU apane pitA ko kaise bodhapATha degA, isa viSaya kI jAnakArI kyoM nahIM detA?' 'mAM! choTe muMha bar3I bAta karanA maiM nahIM caahtaa| cAra-chaha dina taka maiM avaMtI meM ghUmakara sArI paristhiti jAna luuNgaa| rAjabhavana, rAjasabhA, mere pitAzrI, maMtrI Adi anya adhikAriyoM ko eka bAra dekha luuNgaa| phira mujhe jo karanA hai, vaha tumase batA duuNgaa|' sukumArI haMsane lgii| mAM kI goda meM mastaka rakhakara devakumAra bolA-'mAM! maiM aisA upAya karUMgA ki mere pitAzrI tumhArA bhAvabhInA svAgata kreNge| prema aura prAyazcitta ke phUloM se tumhArA svAgata kreNge|' dUsare dina ve sabhI vikramagar3ha ke makAna meM cale ge| tIsare dina devakumAra brAhmaNakumAra ke chadmaveza meM ziprA nadI ke mArga se avaMtI ke mukhya ghATa para utarA aura paidala hI vahAM se nagarI kI ora cala pdd'aa| aparAhna kAla taka devakumAra avaMtI meM ghUmatA rhaa| vahAM kI pUrI jAnakArI kara vaha vikramagar3ha kI ora prasthita huaa| devI sukumArI putra kI pratIkSA meM baiThI thii| saMdhyA ke samaya devakumAra A gyaa| devI ne usase sArI bAta jAnakara prasannatA vyakta kii| pAMca dina taka avaMtI nagarI meM ghUma-ghUmakara devakumAra ne vahAM kI rakSAvyavasthA, karmacAriyoM kA svabhAva, vyavahAra Adi ke viSaya meM bahuta kucha jJAta kara liyaa| vIra vikramAditya 343

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chaThe dina mAM ne pUchA- 'beTA! tUne kyA karanA cAhA hai?' 'mAM ! maiMne vahAM ke mahArAjA, maMtrIgaNa, senAnAyaka Adi viziSTa adhikAriyoM ke ahaM ko khaMDita karane kA nirNaya kiyA hai|' 'ahaM kA khaMDana!' 'hAM, yahAM ke adhikArI mAnate haiM ki yahAM corI nahIM hotii| yaha unheM garva hai| ve kahate haiM, isa kArya meM rAjya kI ArAdhyadevI harasiddha mAtA bahuta sahAyatA karatI hai| maiM harasiddha mAtA ke darzana bhI karake AyA huuN| mujhe bhI bahuta cAmatkArika lagatI haiN| mere kArya kA prAraMbha harasiddha mAtA ke maMdira se hI hogaa|' 'maiM samajhI nhiiN|' 'mAM! maiM isa prakAra se coriyAM karUMgA ki sArI nagarI meM hAhAkara maca jaaegaa| isa kArya se pUrva maiM tIna dinoM kI tapasyA kara bhagavatI harasiddha mAtA ko prasanna kruuNgaa|' 'corI!' sukumArI ne cauMkakara khaa| 'hAM, mAM! jisa bAta kA sabako garva hai, usa bAta ko maiM niSphala banA DAlUMgA, tabhI mahArAjA kI dRSTi khIMcI jaaegii|' mAM apane ekAkI putra kI bAta sunakara avAkraha gyii| use kucha bhI samajha meM nahIM A rahA thaa| devakumAra bolA- 'mAM! maiM yadA-kadA tumase milane ke lie A jAyA kruuNgaa| tuma cintA mata karanA / mere kArya meM zaurya to hogA hI, sAtha hI sAtha buddhi kA camatkAra bhI hogaa|' mAM kA AzIrvAda lekara devakumAra avaMtI meM A gyaa| sabase pahale usane apane nivAsasthAna kI khoja kI aura use nagarI kI pUrva dizA meM gar3ha ke pAsa eka sundara sthAna mila gyaa| sthAna bar3A thaa| khulI jamIna aura aneka kamare the| vahAM eka choTA-sA udyAna bhI thaa| usakI dekhabhAla ke lie eka mAlI rahatA thaa| devakumAra usa mAlI se milA aura bhojana kI vyavasthA ke viSaya meM pUchatAcha kii| mAlI apanI patnI aura bAraha varSa kI beTI ke sAtha rahatA thaa| devakumAra ne use eka svarNamudrA dete hue kahA- 'maiM paradezI huuN| tuma pratidina mere bhojana kI vyavasthA karate rahanA / maiM tumako sArA kharca detA rhuuNgaa|' mAlI garIba thaa| svarNamudrA ko pAkara vaha prasanna ho gyaa| aura paradezI kI sArI vyavasthA apane Upara or3ha lii| devakumAra ne kahA-'mAlI dAdA ! maiM paradezI brAhmaNa huuN| yahAM kucha dina rahakara apane deza meM lauTa jaauuNgaa| maiM eka jokhimabharA kArya karanA cAhatA huuN| tuma 344 vIra vikramAditya

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merA sAtha doge to maiM tumheM mAlAmAla kara duuNgaa| tuma basa itanA-sA karanA ki mere viSaya meM kisI ko kucha mata btaanaa|' ___'acchA brAhmaNa devatA ! Apa jaisA cAheMge, vaisA hI hogaa|' devakumAra ne sarvaprathama sAre sAdhana juttaae| vividha prakAra ke veza tathA anyAnya choTe-bar3e upakaraNa juTAkara tIsare dina devakumAra eka brAhmaNa ke veza meM harasiddha mAtA ke maMdira meM phuNcaa| usa samaya harasiddha mAtA kI AratI ho rahI thii| aneka bhaktagaNa vahAM ekatrita the| mukhya pujArI upasthita thaa| pAMca sau eka dIpaka kI AratI bhavya aura manamohaka laga rahI thii| mAtA kA svarUpa bhI adbhuta thaa| devakumAra apalaka netroM se harasiddha mAtA kI ora dekhane lgaa| AratI pUrI huii| darzanArtha Ae hue sabhI nara-nArI mAtA ko namana kara, jayanAda bolate hue vidA ho ge| devakumAra ne mukhya pujArI kA caraNa-sparza kara kahA- 'mahAtman ! maiM kAnyakubja brAhmaNa huuN| garIba huuN| mere pitA kI dRSTi calI gaI hai| unheM puna: AMkhoM kA prakAza prApta ho, isalie maiM mAtA kI ArAdhanA karane AyA huuN| ApakI AjJA ho to maiM tIna dina taka isI maMdira meM anna-jala-rahita rahakara ArAdhanA karanA cAhatA huuN|' mukhya pujArI ne bAlaka kA satkAra karate hue use svIkRti de dii| devakumAra pujArI ke caraNoM meM mastaka namAkara maMdira ke garbhagRha meM eka kone meM netra banda kara, padmAsana mudrA meM baiTha gyaa| apane hRdaya meM harasiddha mAtA kI pratimA ko aMkita kara usakI smRti meM vaha tadAkAra bana gyaa| Aja ArAdhanA ke tIna dina bIta ge| tIsarI rAta kA prArambha huaa| devakumAra eka yogI kI taraha padmAsana meM sthira baiThA thaa| madhyarAtri kA smy| acAnaka maMdira kA garbhagRha prakAza se jagamagA utthaa| AtmA ko maMtramugdha karane vAlI madhura dhvani sunAI dene lgii| devakumAra ke kAnoM se ye zabda TakarAe - 'vatsa! uTha, khar3A ho / terI ArAdhanA se maiM prasanna huuN| bola, tU kyA cAhatA hai?' devakumAra ne AMkheM kholIM / prakAza se usakI AMkheM cuMdhiyA gaI thiiN| vaha bolA- 'mAM! Apa sarvazaktidAtrI ho| maiM kevala avaMtI ke mahArAja vikramAditya kI AMkheM kholanA cAhatA hUM aura isalie Apa mujhe aisA varadAna deM ki maiM corI karUM aura pakar3A na jaauuN|' 'vatsa! corI karanA cAhatA hai?' vIra vikramAditya 345

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'hAM, mAM ! sahI corI nahIM, kintu avaMtI meM halacala macAnA cAhatA huuN| merA prayojana siddha hone para maiM corI kA mAla unake svAmiyoM ke pAsa pahuMcA duuNgaa|' mAtA ke vadana para madhura hAsya ubharA aura unhoMne paMcadhAtu kA eka kar3A devakumAra ko dete hue kahA- 'vatsa ! yaha kar3A tU apanI bAyIM bhujA para dhAraNa kara lenA / koI bhI tujhe nahIM pakar3a pAegA / terA prayojana siddha hone para tU isa kar3e ko ziprA nadI meM bahA denA / ' devakumAra ne kar3e ko vahIM dhAraNa kara liyaa| usakA hRdaya nAcane lgaa| kAnoM meM puna: zabda TakarAe - 'vatsa! bAhara miThAI se bhare bartana par3e haiN| unameM se miThAI khAkara tIna dina kI tapasyA kA pAraNA kara lenA / zeSa miThAI sabako bAMTa denA / ' prakAza adRzya ho gyaa| harasiddha mAtA kI saumya mUrti zobhita ho rahI thI / prAta: mukhya pujArI AyA / devakumAra ne pujArI kA caraNa- -sparza kiyA aura kahA - 'mahAtman! ApakI kRpA se mAtAjI mere para prasanna ho gaI haiN| bAhara miThAI se bhare bartana par3e haiN| usako bAMTane kI AjJA mAtAjI ne dI hai|' pujArI ne sArI miThAI bAMTa dI / maMdira se calakara vaha apane sthAna para AyA / mAlI ne kahA-'mahArAja ! ApakI cintA hameM satA rahI thii| hamane tIna dinoM se bharapeTa anna bhI nahIM khAyA / ' devakumAra bolA- 'mAtA kI ArAdhanA pUrI ho gaI hai| lo, yaha prasAda sabhI ko bAMTa do'- kahakara usane mAlI ke hAtha meM miThAI kA eka pUr3A diyA / - madhyAhna ke pazcAt veza badalakara vaha bAhara aayaa| usa samaya mAlI kI patnI bAhara khar3I thI aura mAlI bhItara vizrAma kara rahA thA / patnI bolI'mahArAja ! kahAM jA rahe haiM ? kyA maiM rAmalI ke pitA ko jagAUM !' 'nahIM, bahana ! abhI maiM bAhara jAtA huuN| kala prAta: lauTa aauuNgaa|' devakumAra vahAM se sIdhA ziprA ke ghATa para gayA aura eka naukA meM baiThakara vikramagar3ha kI ora cala par3A / putra ko gae Aja pAMca dina ho gae the, isalie sukumArI adhika cintAtura ho gaI thii| usake mana meM aneka vicAra Ane lge| saMdhyA ke samaya devakumAra A phuNcaa| mAM ke nayana khuzI se bhara gae / devakumAra ne ArAdhanA kI bAta batAI / sukumArI bahuta prasanna huI / dUsare dina devakumAra avaMtI calA gyaa| vaha apane nivAsa para AyA aura eka tAr3apatra para vikramAditya ke nAma se saMdeza likhA 346 vIra vikramAditya

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'rAjarAjezvara mahArAjAdhirAja vikramAditya ke caraNoM meM buddhi catura aura cAlAka cora sarvahara ke praNAma vidita hoN| Aja maiM ApakI nagarI meM A pahaMcA hN| ApaparaduHkhabhaMjaka haiM, aisA loga kahate haiN| parantu yaha sunakara mujhe haMsI AtI hai| vAstava meM Apane eka abalA strI ko bahuta parezAna kiyA hai| yaha sunakara maiMne ApakI nagarI ke dhanADhya vyaktiyoM ke gharoM meM corI karane kA nirNaya kiyA hai| phira maiM ApakA rAjya hastagata kruuNgaa| maiM apanA yaha kArya kala se prArambha kruuNgaa| maiMne yaha cetAvanI dene ke lie hI yaha saMdeza bhejA hai| Apako apanI prajA ke dhanasaMrakSaNa ke lie jo karanA hai, vaha kreN| jo mere isa kArya meM bAdhaka banegA, maiM use pala-bhara meM pIsa ddaaluuNgaa| ApakA dAsAnudAsa ___ 'cora sarvahara' isa prakAra tAr3apatra taiyAra kara usane bAMsa kI eka nalikA meM use rakhA aura saMdhyA ke samaya grAmINa kA veza banA rAjabhavana kI ora cala pdd'aa| usa samaya mahArAjA vikramAditya agnivaitAla ke Akasmika Agamana para vicAra karate hue usake sAtha eka kakSa meM baiThe the| agnivaitAla bolA- 'mahArAja! eka prArthanA karane AyA huuN|' ___ mitra! tumheM prArthanA karane kI AvazyakatA nahIM hai| bolo, maiM tumhAre lie kyA kara sakatA hUM?' 'bahuta dinoM se Apane mujhe yAda nahIM kiyA, isalie maiM soca rahA thA ki Apa nizciMta aura sukhI haiN|' 'hAM mitra! tumhArI kRpA se saba kucha Ananda-hI-Ananda hai| bolo, tuma kyA kahanA cAhate ho?' 'kRpAnAtha! maiM aura merI patnI donoM vaitADhya parvata se sumeru parvata para tIrthATana ke lie jAne vAle haiN| vahAM devatA eka utsava kreNge| vaha tIna mahInoM taka calegA, isalie Apa mujhe tIna mahIne taka yAda na kareM; kyoMki sumeru bahuta dUra hai| Apa yAda kareMge to bhI mujhe kucha smRti nahIM aaegii|' agnivaitAla ne vinayapUrvaka khaa| vIra vikrama mitra ke kaMdhe para hAtha rakhakara bole-'mitra ! maiM tumhArI bhAvanA kA satkAra karatA hUM aura sadA-sadA ke lie tumheM vacanabaddhatA se mukta karatA hUM; kyoMki aba mujhe aisA koI kArya nahIM karanA hai, jisake lie tumheM parezAna kruuN|' 'kRpAnAtha....' vIra vikramAditya 347

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'maiM saca kaha rahA hUM, mitra ! tuma Aja se mukta ho / kintu mitratA ke kAraNa kabhI-kabhI yahAM AnA bhUla mata jAnA / ' 'mahArAja! mitratA ke kAraNa maiM avazya aauuNgaa| Apane mujhe mukta kara mere para mahAn upakAra kiyA hai, kyoMki vyaMtara deva vacanabaddha hone ke pazcAt bahuta cintita ho jAte haiM', kahakara vaitAla ne vikrama ko chAtI se lagA liyaa| vikrama ne prasanna hRdaya se vaitAla ko vidA kiyA aura usI kSaNa vaitAla adRzya ho gayA / mahArAja apane khaNDa se bAhara Akara upAsanAgRha meM jAne lage, itane meM hI eka sevaka ne unake hAtha meM bAMsa kI vaha nalikA dete hue kahA - 'kRpAnAtha ! eka grAmINa ne yaha saMdeza Apako diyA hai aura usane yaha Agraha kiyA hai ki yaha Apake hAtha meM hI pahuMce / ' 64. cora sarvahara vIra vikrama ne nalikA se tAr3apatra nikAlA aura bharapUra prakAza meM use pddh'aa| unake vadana kI rekhAeM badalane lgiiN| patra kI cetAvanI ko par3hakara vikrama ko bahuta roSa AyA / patra kI bhASA sundara thI, isalie vikrama ne socA ki likhane vAlA zikSita honA cAhie / vIra vikrama apanI baiThaka meM gae aura nagararakSaka siMhadatta aura mahApratihAra ajaya ko bulA bhejA / kucha hI samaya meM donoM vahAM upasthita ho ge| vikrama ne kahA- 'apanI isa nagarI meM koI sarvahara nAma kA cora AyA hai|' 'nahIM, kRpAnAtha ! aisA koI saMdehAspada vyakti dikhAI nahIM diyA, kintu....|' 'kyA ?' 'harasiddha mAtA kI ArAdhanA karane ke lie eka kizora AyA hai, usakA nAma sarvahara yA sarvezvara jaisA hai|' 'tumane dekhA hai use ?' 'nahIM, kRpAnAtha! maiM pujArI se milA thA aura usase hI sArI jAnakArI prApta kI thI / ' vIra vikrama do kSaNa taka mauna rahe, phira bole- 'isa tAr3apatra ko par3ha lo / ' siMhadatta ne tAr3apatra par3hakara kahA - 'kRpAnAtha ! aisA pratIta hotA hai ki kisI ne Apase parihAsa kiyA hai, athavA pAgalapana kiyA hai| isa patra meM jo dhamakI dI hai, vaha bhI mithyA lagatI hai / ' 348 vIra vikramAditya

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vikrama bole- 'siMhadatta ! phira bhI hameM sAvaceta rahanA hai| tuma nagaraseTha ko bhI yaha bAta batA denaa| ATha-dasa rakSaka nagaraseTha ke bhavana ke Asa-pAsa tainAta kara denA aura unheM AThoM prahara sAvaceta rahane kA nirdeza de AnA / ' 'jI', kahakara siMhadatta calA gyaa| vaha sIdhA nagaraseTha ke bhavana para phuNcaa| vahAM ke rakSakoM tathA caukIdAroM ko jAgRta rahane kI sUcanA dI aura rAjya kI ora se dasa rakSaka bhI vahAM tainAta kara die| madhyarAtri kA samaya huA / devakumAra apane nivAsasthAna se bAhara niklaa| usake kaMdhe para eka jholI thii| usameM Avazyaka sAmagrI thI / usane sAmAnya majadUra kA veza dhAraNa kiyA thA aura banAvaTI mUMcheM lagA lI thIM / devakumAra aneka galiyoM aura sar3akoM ko pAra karatA huA nagaraseTha ke bhavana ke pAsa A phuNcaa| mAtAjI dvArA pradatta kar3A usane dhAraNa kara rakhA thaa| vaha kar3A bahuta prabhAvI thA / devakumAra ke pAsa saMmUrcchana cUrNa bhI thA, jisase vaha kSaNa-bhara meM kisI bhI vyakti ko mUrcchita kara sakatA thaa| devakumAra nagaraseTha ke bhavana ke upavana se bhavana ke mukhyadvAra para pahuMca gyaa| vahAM do-cAra rakSaka naMgI talavAra lekara paharA de rahe the| devakumAra eka ora chipa gyaa| ve rakSaka jaba dvAra se kucha dUra jAkara baiTha gae taba usane avasara kA lAbha uThAte hue dvAra meM praveza kara ddaalaa| sAvadhAnIpUrvaka maMda-maMda calatA huA vaha nagaraseTha ke dhana-bhaNDAra ke dvAra taka phuNcaa| vahAM eka haTTA-kaTTA rakSaka cArapAI para karavaTeM badala rahA thaa| devakumAra usake nikaTa gayA aura tatkAla eka cuTakI saMmUrcchana cUrNa usa rakSaka ke nathune para DAla dii| rakSaka ne ardha-nidrAvasthA meM hI hAtha se nAka ragar3I aura uThane ke prayatna meM mUrcchita hokara usI cArapAI para lur3haka gayA / aba kisI kA bhaya nahIM thaa| devakumAra ne bhaMDAra ke dvAra ko yaMtroM dvArA kholA aura bAhara par3e eka dIpaka ko lekara bhItara gyaa| usane divya ratnAlaMkAroM se apanA thailA bharA aura bhaNDAra kI eka peTI para apanA nAma 'sarvahara' aMkita kara zIghratA se bAhara nikala gayA / bAhara paharedAra cahalakadamI karate hue idhara se udhara aura udhara se idhara AjA rahe the| bhItara ke rakSaka kI abhI taka mUrcchA nahIM TUTI thI / devakumAra pahariyoM kI AMkhoM se bacatA huA, jisa mArga se AyA thA, usI mArga se calA gyaa| vIra vikramAditya 346

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rAtri ke aMtima prahara meM nagararakSaka siMhadatta nagaraseTha ke bhavana para AyA / usake rakSaka pahare para sajaga the| siMhadatta ne usa rakSaka-Tukar3I ke saradAra se pUchA'kyA rAta meM kucha ghaTita huA thA ?' 'nahIM, mahArAja! kucha bhI nahIM huaa| itane paharedAroM ke rahate yahAM Ane kA sAhasa kauna kara sakatA hai ?' bhItara bhI rakSaka jAgate baiThe the| 'acchA', kahakara siMhadatta ne cAroM ora dekhA aura apane gantavya kI ora calA gyaa| idhara devakumAra apane nivAsasthAna para pahuMcA aura nagaraseTha ke ratnAlaMkAra eka maTake meM rakhakara, usa para kapar3A bAMdha 'nagaraseTha kA mAla' aMkita kara eka ora jamIna meM gAr3a diyA / prAta:kAla huA / vIra vikrama prAtaH karma kI taiyArI kara rahe the| usa samaya siMhadatta ne Akara kahA - 'kRpAnAtha ! nagaraseTha ke bhavana meM rAta ko kucha bhI nahIM huA / ' 'tumane patA kiyA thA ?' 'hAM, maiM rAtri ke aMtima prahara meM gayA thaa| sabako pUchA thA, aura sabhI ne yahI kahA ki rAta ko kucha bhI ghaTita nahIM huA / ' 'acchA, to pratIta hotA hai kisI ne parihAsa kiyA hai', vIra vikrama isa vAkya ko pUrA kareM, usase pUrva hI eka paricArikA ne Akara kahA - 'kRpAnAtha kI jaya hoM' 'kyoM?' 'mahArAja nagaraseTha ke jyeSTha putra Apase milane Ae haiN|' 'unako Adara sahita yahAM le aao|' vikrama ne kahA / nagaraseTha kA jyeSTha putra dAsI ke sAtha A phuNcaa| vIra vikrama ne use Adara sahita biThAte hue pUchA - 'abhI kaise AnA huA ?' 'kRpAnAtha! cora apanA kAma kara gayA / hamAre bhaNDAra se corI ho gii|' 'corI ho gaI ?' 'hAM, kintu kitanA dhana curAyA gayA, isakA abhI taka patA nahIM lagA hai|' nagaraseTha ke putra ne khaa| vikrama avAk raha gyaa| unhoMne siMhadatta ko bulAkara nagaraseTha ke bhavana para jAne ke lie khaa| devakumAra bhI prAta: karma se nivRtta hokara nagaracarcA jAnane ke lie nagarI meM gyaa| sthAna-sthAna para nagaraseTha ke bhavana meM huI corI kI carcA cala rahI thii| loga 350 vIra vikramAditya

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bhinna-bhinna prakAra se bAteM kara rahe the| sunI huI bAteM calate-calate samRddha hotI jAtI haiM aura bAta kA bataMgar3a bana jAtA hai| kucha loga kaha rahe the-cora ne eka hI rAta meM do sthAnoM para seMdha lagAI-nagaraseTha ke ghara aura rAjabhavana meN| rAjabhavana se vaha cora naulakhA hAra lekara caMpata ho gyaa| devakumAra bAteM suna-sunakara mana-hI-mana haMsa rahA thaa| sabhI prakAra kI bAteM sunakara vaha nagarI se do-cAra vastueM kharIdakara apane nivAsasthAna para aayaa| bhojana Adi se nivRtta hokara vaha apanI mAM sukumArI se milane vikramagar3ha kI ora ravAnA ho gyaa| usane mAM se sArI bAta khii| mAM kA AzIrvAda prApta kara vaha puna: apane sthAna para calA gyaa| dUsare dina eka seTha ke bhavana se pAMca lAkha svarNa mudrAoM kI corI ho gii| tIsare dina eka dhanADhya sArthavAha ke koSAgAra se sAta bahumUlya ratna gAyaba ho ge| cauthe dina avaMtI ke prasiddha jauharI ke ghara se ratnajaTita AbhUSaNoM kI corI ho gii| pAMcave dina eka banajAre ke pAMca maMjila vAle makAna se navalakhA hAra gAyaba ho gyaa| pAMca dinoM meM pAMca coriyaaN| janatA meM hAhAkAra vyApta ho gyaa| nagararakSaka kI buddhi cakarA gii| vIra vikrama bhI asamaMjasa meM par3a ge| pAMca-pAMca coriyAM hone ke pazcAt nagarI ke mukhya dvAra ko rAtri ke prathama prahara meM baMda kara dene kI ghoSaNA ho gii| devakumAra do-tIna dina taka mAM sukumArI ke pAsa ArAma se rahane kA nirNaya kara vikramagar3ha kI ora ravAnA ho gyaa| 65. rAjabhavana meM corI tIna dina taka mAM ke pAsa rahakara devakumAra avaMtI A gyaa| usako dekhate hI mAlI prasanna hokara bolA-'mahArAja! itane dina kahAM the?' 'are, maiM pAsa vAle eka gAMva meM calA gayA thaa| yahAM ke kyA hAla-cAla haiM?' 'mahArAja! koI eka cora AyA hai aura vaha dhar3alle se coriyAM kara rahA hai| garIboM ke gharoM meM vaha nahIM jaataa| vaha dhanavAnoM, dhanakuberoM ke yahAM corI karatA hai| vIra vikramAditya 351

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sAre nagara meM usakI carcA hai / avaMtI kI sArI janatA bhayabhIta hai / rAjA aura rAjyAdhikArI sabhI cora ko pakar3ane ke upAya socane meM lage haiN| nagarI se bAhara jo daravAje haiM, ve saba rAtri meM banda ho jAte haiN| pratyeka aparicita vyakti se pUchatAcha kI jA rahI hai| cora ne tahalakA macA rakhA hai / ' 'oha ! aisA kauna cora hai ?' 'lagatA hai, koI mAMtrika honA caahie|' mAlI bolA / devakumAra bolA- 'are ! maiMne sunA hai ki vaha cora aba jaldI hI rAjabhavana corI karane vAlA hai / ' 'nahIM-nahIM aisA ho hI nahIM sktaa| vahAM itanA saghana paharA hai ki eka cir3iyA bhI rAjabhavana meM nahIM jA sakatI / ' mAlI ne kahA / devakumAra mauna rhaa| bhojana se nivRtta hokara vizrAma karate samaya usane mana-hI-mana eka yojanA bnaaii| dUsare dina devakumAra ne eka nalikA meM tAr3apatra rakhA aura eka kizora bAlaka ko use rAjabhavana ke dvArapAla ko dene ke lie bhejA aura use majadUrI ke rUpa meM pAMca raupya mudrAeM bhI de diiN| raupya mudrAoM ko lekara kizora atyanta harSita ho utthaa| kizora nalikA ko dvArapAla ke hAthoM meM sauMpakara calA gyaa| dvArapAla ne vaha nalikA rAjabhavana ke mukhya paricAraka ke hAtha dii| jaba mahArAjA vIra vikrama ArAmagRha kI ora gae, taba mahApratihAra ajaya ne vaha nalikA vikrama ko dekara kahA - ' dvArapAla ne yaha nalikA bhejI hai / ' bAMsa kI nalikA ko dekhakara vikrama cauNke| unhoMne pUchA- 'kauna de gayA hai ise ?' ajaya ne kahA- 'mujhe jJAta nahIM hai| dvArapAla ko pUchakara nivedana kruuNgaa|' vikrama ne nalikA se tAr3apatra nikAlakara par3ha liyA / itane meM hI kamalArAnI vahAM A phuNcii| usake pUchane para vikrama ne kahA- 'devI ! cora bahuta vicitra lagatA hai| mujhe sammAnapUrvaka saMbodhana karane ke pazcAt cora ne likhA hai - maiMne pAMca dina taka lagAtAra coriyAM kI haiN| rAtri jAgaraNa ke kAraNa maiMne do dina taka vizrAma kiyA hai| Apa yaha na mAneM ki maiM ApakI rakSApaMkti se ghabarA gayA huuN| maiM Apase badalA lUMgA / aba bhI Apa apane kie aparAdha kI smRti kareM, anyathA mujhe kucha vizeSa ghaTita karanA hogA / - 'priye ! yaha cora kauna ho sakatA hai ? bAra-bAra mere aparAdha kI bAta kyoM kahatA hai ?' donoM paraspara vicAra-vimarza kara hI rahe the ki ajaya kakSa meM A phuNcaa| 352 vIra vikramAditya

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vikrama ne pUchA- 'vaha nalikA kauna de gayA thA?' 'bAraha varSa kA eka bAlaka de gayA thaa|' ajaya ne khaa| 'aba tuma dvArapAla ko sUcita kara denA ki yadi koI saMdeza dene Ae to use jAne mata denA, pakar3akara rkhnaa|' 'jI',kahakara ajaya calA myaa| vikrama asamaMjasa meM par3a ge| ve agnivaitAla ko bhI mukta kara cuke the; anyathA usake sahayoga se yaha samasyA samAhita ho jaatii| idhara devakumAra ne rAjabhavana meM corI karane kA nizcaya kiyaa| / rAtri ke prathama prahara ke pazcAta vIra vikrama apane zayanakakSa meM ge| kamalA aura kalAvatI bhI vahAM A phuNcii| tInoM cora ke viSaya meM carcA kara rahe the, itane meM hI dUsare prahara ke pUrA hone kI AvAja aayii| vikrama uTha khar3e hue aura bole'aba maiM jA rahA huuN| prAta:kAla lauttuuNgaa| Aja maiM avazya hI cora ko pakar3a luuNgaa|' aisA kahakara unhoMne apane sAre alaMkAra utArakara tripadI para rakhe hue svarNathAla meM rakha die| phira vizeSa vezabhUSA meM vahAM se ravAnA ho ge| donoM rAniyAM bhI apane-apane alaMkAra eka thAla meM rakhakara eka hI zayyA para so giiN| devakumAra ne Aja sainika kA veza banAyA thA aura vaha sAMjha hote-hote rAjabhavana meM ghusa gyaa| vaha cAmatkArika kar3A usakI bhujA para thaa| usa kar3e ke prabhAva se vaha adRzya rahatA, koI bhI use dekha nahIM pAtA thA, kintu devakumAra isa prabhAva se ajAna thaa| vaha to itanA hI jAnatA thA ki isa kar3e ke prabhAva se koI use pakar3a nahIM sktaa| devakumAra rAjabhavana meM idhara-udhara jA rahA thaa| usane dekhA, eka dvAra abhI-abhI khulA hai aura koI vyakti vizeSa vezabhUSA meM bAhara nikalA hai| usa vyakti ne dvAra puna: banda kara diyA aura svayaM Age calA gyaa| devakumAra tatkAla usa dvAra ke pAsa pahuMcA aura dhIre se use kholakara aMdara calA gyaa| vaha sopAnazreNI para car3ha rahA thaa| Upara se do sazastra sainika nIce A rahe the| devakumAra eka ora ho gyaa| vaha adRzya to thA hI, sainika use dekha nahIM ske| vaha tIsarI maMjila para phuNcaa| usane dekhA ki mahArAja ke zayanagRha ke dvAra para do sazastra strI-rakSikAeM khar3I haiN| devakumAra ne apanI thailI se saMmUrchana cUrNa kI cuTakI bharI aura rakSikAoM ke nathunoM para DAla dii| rakSikAeM kucha bhI nahIM dekha pA rahI thiiN| una rakSikAoM ne tatkAla apane uttarIya se nAka poMchI aura eka hI kSaNa meM ghUrNita hokara nIce baiTha gaIM aura tatkAla mUrcchita ho giiN| vIra vikramAditya 353

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kucha samaya taka zAnta rahakara devakumAra ne zayanagRha ke dvAra ko dekhaa| vaha bhItara se banda nahIM thA, kyoMki svAmI rAtri ke cauthe prahara meM lauTane vAle the, unheM kholane meM parezAnI na ho, isalie kamalA ne dvAra para bhItara se Agala nahIM lagAI thii| devakumAra dhIre-dhIre zayanakakSa meM gyaa| palaMga para donoM rAniyAM gaharI nIMda meM so rahI thiiN| usane donoM kI nAka para vaha cUrNa ddaalaa| donoM ke hAtha apaneapane nathunoM para gae aura usI kSaNa donoM mUrcchita ho giiN| devakumAra ne sabase pahale donoM mAtAoM ko vaMdana kiyA, phira usane cAroM aura dekhaa| svarNa ke AbhUSaNa usakI dRSTi meM pdd'e| devakumAra ne rAjamukuTa ko chor3akara sAre AbhUSaNa apanI thailI meM DAla die aura mAtAoM ko punaH namana kara vahAM se nikala pdd'aa| rAtri kA cauthA prahara prArambha ho cukA thaa| devakumAra ne sainika pozAka dhAraNa kara rakhI thI, isalie nirbhayatApUrvaka vaha rAjabhavana se bAhara A gyaa| vIra vikrama jaba nagaracarcA pUrI kara rAjabhavana meM Ae, taba devakumAra apane nivAsa-sthAna para pahuMca gayA thaa| prAta:kAla hote-hote donoM rAniyoM kI mUrcchA ttuuttii| ve AMkheM malakara utthiiN| uThate hI unakI dRSTi palaMga ke nIce rakhe AbhUSaNoM ke thAla para pdd'ii| thAla par3A thA, AbhUSaNa nahIM the| ve cauNkii| idhara-udhara dekhA / AbhUSaNa nahIM mile| unheM nizcaya ho gayA ki AbhUSaNa corI ho gaye haiN| rAjabhavana meM Ate hI kamalArAnI ne kahA- 'svAmI ! apane zayanakakSa meM kala rAta ko corI ho gaI hai|' 'corI ?' 'hAM, mahArAja ! palaMga ke nIce rakhe hue sAre AbhUSaNa Aja gAyaba haiN| hama donoM yahIM so rahI thiiN| parantu pratIta hotA hai ki cora ne hama donoM ko kisI auSadhi se nidrita kara apanA kAma pUrA kiyA / ' kalAvatI bolI- 'donoM dvAra-rakSikAeM bhI vahIM nidrAdhIna hokara par3I haiN|' 'taba to yaha kAma sarvahara cora kA hI lagatA hai| maiM nagara meM ghUmatA rahA aura vaha yahAM A pahuMcA' - kahakara vIra vikrama vicAramagna ho ge| rAjasabhA kA samaya ho cukA thaa| vikrama ne ajaya ko bulAkara nagararakSaka aura mahAmaMtrI ko bulAne kI vyavasthA karane kI AjJA dii| lagabhaga do ghaTikA ke pazcAt nagararakSaka aura mahAmaMtrI A phuNce| vIra vikrama ne rAjabhavana meM huI corI kI bAta btaaii| 354 vIra vikramAditya

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bAta sunakara donoM Azcarya-vimUr3ha ho ge| mahAmaMtrI bole-'kRpAnAtha! cora bahuta cAlAka hai| Apa agnivaitAla ko eka bAra yAda kreN|' 'mahAmaMtrI! kyA rAjya kI zakti khatma ho gaI hai ki hameM eka cora ko pakar3ane ke lie isa prakAra parezAna honA par3e? agnivaitAla ko maiMne mukta kara diyA hai| vaha abhI A nahIM sktaa| cora kitanA hI cAlAka yA maMtravAdI kyoM na ho, Akhira hai to vaha eka manuSya hii| phira nagararakSaka kI ora dekhakara kahA-rAjabhavana meM corI ho jAe yaha koI choTI bAta nahIM hai| yaha bAta jaba nagara meM phailegI, taba janatA kitanI bhayabhIta ho jaaegii| tuma khoja meM lgo|' rAjA vikrama ne aneka upAya soce aura nAnAvidha prayatna karane kA nizcaya kiyaa| sArI nagarI meM yaha bAta prasArita ho gaI ki rAjabhavana meM bhI cora ghusakara apanI karAmAta dikhA gayA hai| dUsare dina vIra vikrama ne rAjasabhA meM ghoSaNA karAI ki jo koI vyakti cora ko pAMca dinoM ke bhItara jIvita yA mRta mere sAmane upasthita karegA, use pAMca gAMva pAritoSika rUpa meM die jaaeNge| nagararakSaka siMhadatta ne khar3e hokara kahA-'kRpAnAtha! pAMca dinoM ke bhItarabhItara maiM cora ko rAjasabhA meM upasthita kara duuNgaa|' sabhAsadoM ne harSadhvani kii| kisAna veza meM AyA huA devakumAra haMsane lgaa| sArI nagarI meM nagararakSakakI bAta phaila gii| devakumAra ne nagararakSaka ke parivAra kI bAta jAnanI caahii| usane apane mitra mAlI se pUchA-'mitra! nagararakSaka ke parivAra meM kauna-kauna haiM?' 'mahArAja! usakI jAnakArI kyoM karanA cAhate haiM? vaha aba cora ko pakar3akara hI sAMsa legaa| Apa jAnakArI karanA cAheMge to saMbhava hai vaha Apa para hI cora hone kI AzaMkA kara Apako kArAgRha meM na Dhakela de| vaha nagararakSaka kevala balavAn hI nahIM hai, vaha catura aura capala bhI hai|' "mitra! maiM to aise hI jAnakArI karanA cAhatA huuN| mujhe nacora se koI prayojana hai aura na nagararakSaka se|' devakumAra ne khaa| aparAhna ke samaya devakumAra ne eka naujavAna mAlI kA veza bnaayaa| usane eka TokarI meM kucha phUla aura mAlAeM rakha liiN| vaha rAste para jA rahA thaa| sAmane se do sainika mile| eka ne pUchA-'are o! kahAM se AyA?' 'maiM mAlI hUM aura usa upavana se A rahA huuN|' vIra vikramAditya 355

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sainikoM ne use er3I se coTI taka dekhA aura Age bar3ha ge| cAra dina bIta ge| devakumAra zAnta rhaa| cAra dinoM taka coriyAM nahIM huIM, taba paurajanoM ne jAnA ki cora ghabarAkara bhAga gayA hai| nagararakSaka ne bIsa saMdehAspada vyaktiyoM ko bandI banAkara kArAvAsa meM DAla diyA thaa| usane socA, inameM se hI koI-nakoI cora honA caahie| vaha cintita thaa| cAra dina khAlI ge| sAMjha huii| nagararakSaka ghor3e para baiThakara cora kI talAza meM ghara se nikala pdd'aa| ghara ke Age kA phATaka banda kara diyA gyaa| rAtri kA prathama prahara pUrA huaa| devakumAra eka bAbe kA veza banAkara taiyAra ho gyaa| usane kaMdhe para eka thailA rkhaa| usameM bahuvidha sAmAna thaa| devakumAra nirbhayatApUrvaka nagararakSaka ke bhavana kI ora cala pdd'aa| sAmane se cAra sainika Ate hue dikhAI die| ve pAsa se bAtacIta karatekarate nikala ge| devakumAra adRzya thaa| devakumAra nagararakSaka ke bhavana kI cAradIvAra ke nikaTa pahaMca gyaa| cAroM ora ghUmakara, eka sthAna para usane dIvAra phAMda kara bhItara praveza kara liyaa| usane dekhA barAmade meM tIna vyakti gaharI nIMda meM so rahe haiN| vaha tatkAla vahAM pahuMcA aura saMmUrchana cUrNa kI cuTakI bhara unakI nAka para DAla dii| devakumAra nizciMta ho gyaa| usane eka kamarA kholaa| vahAM eka dIpaka TimaTimA rahA thaa| usake maMda prakAza meM use tIna-cAra majabUta maMjUSAeM dIkha pdd'ii| devakumAra ne eka peTI kholii| usameM vastra the| usane sAre vastra bAhara nikAlakara rakha die| sabase nIce svarNa-alaMkAroM se bharI eka choTI peTikA milii| usane vaha peTikA apanI jholI meM rakha lii| dUsarI peTI meM svarNamudrAoM kI pAMca thailiyAM miliiN| unako bhI apanI jholI meM rakha liyaa| devakumAra kakSa ke kapATa pUrvavat baMdakara bAhara nikAla gyaa| vaha apane nivAsasthAna para surakSita pahuMca gayA aura eka maTake meM sArA sAmAna rakha, usa para nagara-rakSaka kA nAma aMkita kara jamIna meM gAr3a diyaa| nagara-rakSaka cora kI Toha meM nagarI meM cakkara lagA rahA thaa| vIra vikrama bhI veza-parivartana kara eka prahara taka nagara meM ghUmate rhe| prAta:kAla huaa| nagararakSaka apane bhavana para aayaa| mukhyadvAra-rakSaka ne phATaka kholaa| eka sevaka ne azva ko pakar3a liyA aura siMha vizrAma karane ke lie bhItara gyaa| bhItara praveza karate hI usakI dRSTi eka ora par3e cimaTe para pdd'ii| vaha cauNkaa| usakA mana bhaya se bhara gyaa| vaha kamare ke pAsa aayaa| tAlA khulA par3A thaa| andara jAkara dekhA to donoM maMjUSAeM khulI par3I thIM aura kapar3e bAhara bikhare hue the| 356 vIra vikramAditya

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parivAra ke sabhI sadasya ekatrita ho ge| nagararakSaka kI nirAzA kA koI pAra nahIM thaa| usa samaya apane nivAsa-sthAna para devakumAra zAnti kI nIMda le rahA thaa| 66. capala senA aneka loga jisakI dhAka se tharatharAte the, jisakI zakti ke Age cora, DAkU Adi muMha meM tRNa lekara gAya kI taraha zaraNAgata ho jAte the, jisakI vyavasthA ne sampUrNa nagarI ko nirbhaya banA DAlA thA, vaha nagararakSaka siMha apanI pratijJA kA pAlana nahIM kara sakA aura svayaM cora kI corI kA zikAra ho gyaa| cora cAra rAta taka zAnta rahA aura pAMcave dina nagararakSaka ke ghara corI karane meM saphala ho gyaa| sabase vicitra bAta to yaha thI ki cora ke viSaya meM koI bhI anumAna sahI sAbita nahIM ho rahA thaa| ghara meM rakSA kI pUrI vyavasthA hone para bhI siMha ThagA gayA, isalie usakA khUna khaula rahA thaa| nagararakSaka kA mana TUTa gayA, hRdaya ghAyala ho gyaa| usane socA, aba maiM rAjasabhA meM kaise muMha dikhAUMgA? cora ko pakar3ane kA jo bIr3A maiMne uThAyA thA, usI cora ne mere muMha para kAlikha pota dii| mahArAjA vIra vikramAditya AgantukoM se mela-milApa kara rahe the| usa samaya nagararakSaka siMha ne kakSa meM praveza kiyaa| vIra vikrama nagararakSaka ke cehare ko dekhakara samajha gae ki cora abhI taka pakar3a meM nahIM AyA hai| ___ nagararakSaka ne mahArAjA ko tIna bAra namana kara kahA-'kRpAnAtha! kSamA kareM, cora ne merI nAka kATa ddaalii|' 'kyoM? kyA huA?' 'kala rAtri meM usa duSTa cora ne mere ghara meM ghusakara corI kara ddaalii| merI sArI saMcita sampatti lekara vaha bhAga gyaa|' siMha ne khaa| 'cora ke kucha cihna mile?' 'nahIM, mahArAja! yahI to Azcarya kI bAta hai| hAM, eka cimaTA kamare ke kone meM par3A dikhAI diyA thA aura vaha kisI saMnyAsI kA ho aisA lagatA hai|' ___ 'tuma nirAza mata ho| eka-na-eka dina to vaha tumhAre jAla meM phaMsegA hii| Aja tumheM rAjasabhA meM Ane kI AvazyakatA nahIM hai| maiMne mahAmaMtrI ke sAtha maMtraNA kara dUsarI yojanA yaha banAI hai ki yadi koI cora ko pakar3akara hamAre samakSa upasthita karegA, use cAlIsa gAMva kI eka tahasIla bheMTa meM dI jaaegii| isa AkarSaNa se nagarI kA koI-na-koI catura aura nipuNa vyakti cora ko pakar3ane meM avazya sahAyabhUta hogaa|' vikrama ne khaa| vIra vikramAditya 357

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siMha Azvasta hokara calA gyaa| mahArAjA se milane ke lie Ane vAloM meM mahAmaMtrI, anya pAMca-sAta maMtrI aura mahAbalAdhikRta bhI the| vIra vikrama ne nagararakSaka ke ghara para huI corI kI ghaTanA unheM sunaaii| saba avAk raha ge| usI samaya mahApratihAra ajaya dasa varSa ke eka bAlaka ko sAtha lekara aayaa| vIra vikrama ne ajaya kI ora praznabharI dRSTi se dekhaa| __ ajaya bolA- 'kRpAnAtha! yaha bAlaka bAMsa kI eka nalikA lekara AyA hai|' ___'oha! cora kA saMdeza?' phira bAlaka kI ora dekhakara kahA-'tujhe nalikA kisane dI?' 'mahArAja! koI eka aparicita majadUra jaise vyakti ne mujhe pAMca raupya mudrAeM dekara isa nalikA ko yahAM pahuMcAne ke lie kahA thaa|' kahakara bAlaka ne vaha nalikA mahArAjA ke hAtha meM sauMpa dii| 'tujhe dene vAlA vyakti kaisA thA?' 'vaise to vaha bahuta moTA-tAjA thaa| usakI mUMche bharAvadAra thIM, kintu usake kapar3e maile the|' 'usakA nAma batA sakate ho?' 'nahIM, mahArAja ! maiMne to use Aja pahalI bAra dekhA thaa|' 'kyA tU use dUsarI bAra dekhakara pahacAna legA?' 'hAM, mahArAja! usakI mUMche mujhe yAda haiN|' vIra vikrama ne bAlaka ko vidAI dI aura svayaM nalikA meM se tAr3apatra nikAla kara par3hane lge| patra par3hakara vIra vikrama avAka raha ge| rAjasabhA kA samaya ho cukA thA, isalie vIra vikrama eka ratha para car3hakara vidA ho ge| Aja rAjasabhA khacAkhaca bharI huI thii| devakumAra rAjasabhA meM nahIM aayaa| vaha saMdeza bhejakara apanI mAM se milane vikramagar3ha calA gyaa| madhyAhna taka rAjasabhA meM cora ke viSaya kI carcA calI aura mahArAjA ne cAlIsa gAMva bheMTa karane kI bAta khii| nagararakSaka kI asaphalatA ke kAraNa koI Age nahIM aayaa| rAjA ne gAMva meM paTahavAdana kA Adeza diyA aura sthAna-sthAna para yaha ghoSaNA karavAI ki koI bhI vyakti Age Aye aura cora ko pakar3ane kA sAhasa dikhAkara, cAlIsa gAMva kA paTTA hastagata kre| 358 vIra vikramAditya

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saMdhyA kA samaya ho gayA thaa| rAjAjJA ke anusAra eka senAnAyaka, eka dAsa aura eka paTahavAdaka - tInoM gAMvoM kI ora gae aura paTahavAdana kiyA / gaNikAvAr3A meM ge| vahAM capalasenA nAmaka tIsa varSIyA gaNikA rahatI thii| vaha samRddha, buddhimatI aura ur3ate paMchI ko girAne meM cAlAka thii| usane pahale kabhI guptacarI kA kArya bhI kiyA thA / jaba paTahavAdaka usake bhavana ke pAsa pahuMce, taba capalasenA svarNa ke jhUle meM jhUla rahI thI / usane paTaha sunA aura tatkAla paricArikA ko bhejakara senAnAyaka ko bhavana meM bulA bhejaa| paricArikA ne senAnAyaka ko devI kI bAta kahI aura bhavana meM Ane kI prArthanA kii| senAnAyaka Upara gayA / capalasenA ne unheM Adara sahita biThAte hue kahA'maiM ApakA paTaha jhelatI huuN| kintu merI eka zarta hai|' 'kahie....' 'kala maiM prAta:kAla rAjarAjezvara se milane jAUMgI' taba merI zarta btaauuNgii| 'devI kI jaya ho / ' senAnAyaka ne harSita hokara kahA / senAnAyaka nIce AyA / saikar3oM loga vahAM ekatrita ho cuke the| senAnAyaka bolA-'devI capalasenA ne paTaha jhela liyA hai / ' logoM ne harSadhvani kI aura senAnAyaka paTahavAdaka ke sAtha vahAM se calA gyaa| rAjabhavana pahuMcakara usane mahArAjA ko sArI bAta sunAI / vIra vikrama kA mana prasanna ho gayA, kyoMki unhoMne sunA thA ki capalasenA cAlAka, buddhimatI aura catura hai| dUsare dina prAta:kAla capalasenA mahArAjA se milane gaI aura nagaravyavasthA ke viSaya meM apanI zarta rakhatI huI bolI- 'kRpAnAtha! nagarI ke bAraha dvAroM ko baMda rakhane kI koI AvazyakatA nahIM hai, kyoMki cora nagarI meM hI kahIM rahatA hai, isameM koI zaMkA nahIM hai| isalie Apa aisI AjJA kareM ki cAra daravAje rAta meM bhI khule raheM / ' 'isameM mujhe koI Apatti nahIM hai|' vikrama bole / 'Aja guruvAra hai| agale guruvAra kI rAtri pUrI ho, usase pahale maiM cora ko Apake sAmane upasthita kara duuNgii|' capalasenA ne kahA / vIra vikrama bole- 'cora atyanta cAlAka hai.... / ' 'maiM samajha cukI hUM, kRpAnAtha ! parantu strI kI cAlAkI aura mAyAjAla ke samakSa bar3oM-bar3oM ko pAnI bharanA par3atA hai| ' vIra vikramAditya 356

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vIra vikrama ne kahA- 'maiM tumhArI vijaya cAhatA hUM.....maiMne tumhArI caturAI ke viSaya meM sunA hai....|' capalasenA mahArAja ko namaskAra kara vidA ho gii| capalasenA ne paTaha jhelA hai, yaha bAta samUce nagara meM prasArita ho gii| mAtA se milakara devakumAra apane sthAna para A gyaa| usane bhI capalasenA ke viSaya meM sArI carcA suna lii| devakumAra ne socA, aba mujhe capalasenA ko bodha-pATha denA hai| vaha gaNikA hai, usake ghara kaise jAyA jAe ? usane socA aura upAya DhUMr3ha nikaalaa| capalasenA ne cora ko pakar3ane ke lie upAya prArambha kara die| eka dina biitaa| do dina biite| tIna dina biite| cora pakar3a meM nahIM aayaa| cauthe din| capalasenA vicAroM kI udher3abuna meM cintita ho utthii| usa samaya paricArikA ne khaMDa meM praveza kara kahA- 'devI kI jaya ho|' capalA cauNkii| usane socA, guptacaroM ke kucha samAcAra Ae hoNge| usane utsAhapUrNa dRSTi se paricArikA kI ora dekhaa| paricArikA bolI- 'devI ! kuMDalapura ke rAjakumAra atithi-rUpa meM Ae haiN|' 'kuMDalapura?' 'hAM, yaha pUrva bhArata meM sthita hai|' 'unakA vaya?' 'pandraha-solaha varSa ke pratIta hote haiN|' capalA ne mana-hI-mana socA, yaha cora kI hI to koI caturAI nahIM hai? eka kSaNa socaa| socakara bolI- 'rAjakumAra ko yahAM le aa| unake sAtha aura koI hai?' 'nahIM devI!' 'acchA' kahakara capalA vicAramagna ho gii| paricArikA kuMDalapura ke rAjakumAra ko sAtha le khaMDa meM praviSTa huii| capalA solaha varSa ke tejasvI aura sukAnta naujavAna ko dekhate hI samajha gaI ki ye vAstava meM hI rAjakumAra haiN| inake cehare para nirdoSa bhAva hai| inakI AMkhoM meM sahajatA hai, pavitratA hai| are, isa choTe vaya meM ye akele gaNikAvAr3A meM kaise Aye hoMge? 360 vIra vikramAditya

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rAjakumAra ne muskarAte hue donoM hAtha jor3akara vaMdana karate hue kahA-'devI! mere mana meM eka Azcarya ubhara rahA hai|' capalasenA ne unheM sammAnapUrvaka Asana para biThAte hue kahA-'kumArazrI! mere mana kA bhI eka Azcarya zAMta nahIM ho rahA hai|' 'ApakA Azcarya?' . 'hAM, ApakA vaya abhI yauvana kI dahalIja para caraNa rakha rahA hai| Apako akele pravAsa kyoM karanA par3a rahA hai?' 'oha! isa eka prazna se hI Apane mere ghAyala hRdaya para namaka chir3aka ddaalaa| devI ! merI janmadAtrI mAM acAnaka mara gii| mere pitA rAjA ne dUsarA vivAha kiyaa| sautelI mAM ke prema meM ve itane phaMsa gae ki sadA usI kI AMkha se dekhate haiN| maiM rAjya kA adhikArI huuN| yaha bAta merI sautelI mAM ko zUla-sI cubhatI hai| usane mujhe viSa dekara mArane kI yojanA bnaaii| rAjabhavana kI vizvasta dAsI se mujhe yaha bAta jJAta huI aura maiM bahAnA banAkara pravAsa karane ke lie ghara se nikala pdd'aa| maiMne nagara meM praveza karate hI prahariyoM se uttama Azraya-sthAna ke lie puuchaa| unhoMne ApakA nAma batAyA aura maiM pUchatA-pUchatA yahAM pahuMca gyaa|' 'ApakI bAta atyanta rasaprada hai.....ApakA Azcarya?' 'devI ! merA Azcarya yaha hai ki Apake bhavana meM praveza karane vAle atithi ko itanA kyoM pUchA jAtA hai ?' . capalasenA ne haMsate hue kahA- 'maiM Apake prazna kA uttara dUM, isase pUrva maiM jAnanA cAhatI hUM ki ApakA zubha nAma kyA hai ?' 'merA sahI-sahI nAma 'jayasena' hai, kintu pravAsakAla meM aparicita rahane ke lie maiMne apanA nAma 'vijayapratApa' rakhA hai| maiMne apane mAtA-pitA Adi kI pUrI jAnakArI Apake saMcAlakoM ko de dI hai| phira bhI yadi Apa jAnanA cAheMgI to....|' 'nahIM, kumArazrI ! mujhe kucha nahIM jAnanA hai|....itnii pUchatAcha ke pIche sabala kAraNa yaha hai ki isa nagarI meM eka anAma cora A ghusA hai aura vaha bar3I-bar3I coriyAM kara rahA hai| na cora pakar3a meM A rahA hai aura na usake Thora-ThikAne kA hI paricaya milatA hai| maiMne use ATha dinoM ke bhItara-bhItara pakar3akara mahArAjA ke samakSa upasthita karane kA bIr3A uThAyA hai| cora itanA cAlAka hai ki vaha bIr3A uThAne vAle ko hI apanA zikAra banA detA hai, isalie itanI pUchatAcha kI jAtI hai|' 'Azcarya ! aisI virAT nagarI! itanA svaccha rAjataMtra! mahArAjA vikramAditya jaise tejasvI bhUpAla! aura eka tuccha cora ko pakar3ane ke lie itanA kucha karanA par3e! Azcarya! Azcarya!' vIra vikramAditya 361

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'ApakA abhI-abhI AnA hI huA hai| Apa nahIM jAnate ki usa cora ne kyA-kyA gajaba DhAyA hai| vaha tuccha nahIM, kintu sabako tuccha samajhane vAlA mahAn cAlAka cora hai|' 'Apa jo kaha rahI haiM, vaha saca hai| kintu anta meM vaha hai to eka cora hI, dUsaroM ke ghara meM corI karane vAlA / manuSya bhUla kie binA nahIM rhtaa|' 'Apa yahAM kitane dina ThahareMge?' capalA ne puuchaa| 'ekAdha-mAsa rahane kA vicAra hai| aura yadi koI kSatriyocita kArya mila gayA to sadA-sadA ke lie yahIM raha jaauuNgaa|' kumAra ne khaa| 'Apa kSatriyocita kauna-sA kArya kara sakeMge?' 'zastravidyA se merA raktagata sambandha hai| isake atirikta dUsarA kArya nahIM ho sakatA....parantu Apa sahayoga kareM to...' kahate-kahate jayasena ruka ge| "kyoM? kahate-kahate kaise ruka gae?' 'kucha nhiiN| isa nagarI meM kucheka dina ghUma-phirakara phira Apako btaauuNgaa|' kumAra ne khaa| 'Apa mere yahAM atithi bane haiM, to maiM Apase eka prazna pUcha lUM?' 'hAM, avazya puucho|' 'mere yahAM Ane vAlA atithi kAmazAstra kA abhyAsa karane ke lie AtA hai| Apako.....' 'devI ! maiM isa prayojana se yahAM nahIM AyA hUM aura isa vaya meM maiM isa zAstra ke yogya bhI nahIM huuN| sautelI mAM ke kAraNa gRhatyAga karanA par3A hai| mujhe bhAgya para vizvAsa hai| maiM prayatna kruuNgaa| yadi Apake yahAM rahane meM Apatti ho to Apa mujhe dUsarA Azraya-sthAna batA deM, maiM vahAM raha jaauuNgaa|' jayasena ne khaa| jayasena ke nayanoM kI pavitratA aura vANI kI miThAsa se capalasenA atyanta AkRSTa ho cukI thii| vaha bolI- 'kumArazrI! Apa yahI raheM aura mere viziSTa atithi ke rUpa meM raheM', kahakara capalasenA ne apanI paricArikA ko bulAkara kahA'kumArazrI ! mere viziSTa atithi haiN| inakI sevA meM do paricArikAoM kI vyavasthA karanA aura snAna-bhojana Adi kI pUrI dekharekha rkhnaa|' 'jI' kahakara paricArikA calI gii| jayasena Asana se uThate hue bolA- 'devI ! maiM dhanya huaa| maiM isa nagarI se sarvathA aparicita hUM, phira bhI dhanurvidyA meM nipuNa huuN| maiM yadi Apake kArya meM kucha sahayogI bana sakA to apane Apako sArthaka mAnUMgA / Apa ni:saMkoca hokara mujhe AjJA deN|' 362 vIra vikramAditya

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capalasenA muskarA dii| jayasena dAsI ke sAtha apane nirdhArita kakSa meM calA gyaa| capalasenA isa suMdara yuvaka ko ekaTaka dekhatI rhii| yaha sundara yuvaka aura koI nahIM, svayaM devakumAra hI thaa| 67. mAyAjAla capalasenA ne cora ko pakar3ane ke lie cAroM ora jAla bichA diyA thaa| catura guptacara vividha vezoM meM nagarI meM ghUmane lge| kintu jisa cora ko pakar3ane ke lie capalasenA ne bIr3A uThAyA thA, vaha devakumAra jayasena ke nAma se usI ke bhavana meM A pahuMcA aura pahalI hI dRSTi meM mAnavI ke hRdaya ko parakhane vAlI capalA mAta khA gii| aneka bAra mAnyatA kA baMdhana manuSya ko bhrama meM DAla detA hai| Aja taka avaMtI ke cAlAka cora ko kisI ne nahIM dekhA thA, kintu sabhI logoM kA yaha anumAna thA ki vaha tIsa-battIsa varSa kA honA caahie| yaha bAta capalA ne bhI mAna lI thii| aura isI mAnyatA ke AdhAra para solaha varSIya jayasena kA dila vaha parakha nahIM skii| jayasena kA sArA vyavahAra sahaja aura sarala thA, isalie capalasenA ke mana meM kabhI saMdeha huA hI nhiiN| usane jayasena ko apane hRdaya meM biThA liyA thaa| devakumAra ne mana-hI-mana nirNaya kara liyA ki cAra dinoM taka zAMta rahanA hai aura ina cAra dinoM meM capalasenA ke dhana-bhaMDAra kI sArI jAnakArI kara lenI hai aura aMtima dina ise bhI bodhapATha par3hA denA hai| ina vicAroM meM khoyA huA devakumAra palaMga para karavaTeM badala rahA thaa| usa samaya eka paricArikA ne aMdara Akara kahA-'yuvarAjazrI! devI Apako yAda kara rahI haiN|' _ 'maiM taiyAra huuN|' kahakara devakumAra palaMga se nIce utarA aura pairoM meM moje pahana-kara paricArikA ke pIche-pIche cala pdd'aa| rAtri kA dUsarA prahara pUrA ho rahA thaa| capalasenA puruSa kA veza dhAraNa kara eka Asana para baiThI thii| abhI vaha nagara-bhramaNa ke lie jAne vAlI thii| usakA azva bhI taiyAra khar3A thaa| devakumAra ne devI ke khaMDa meM praveza kiyaa| usane puruSa-veza-dhAriNI capalasenA ko pahacAna liyA thA, phira bhI Azcarya kA abhinaya karate hue paricArikA kI ora dekhakara bolA-'are! tU mujhe kisake khaMDa meM le AyI? devIzrI kisa khaMDa meM haiM?' vIra vikramAditya 363

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paricArikA tejasvI yuvaka ke Azcarya ko dekhakara bolI-'kumArazrI ! yahI devI capalasenA kA kakSa hai| devI sAmane baiThI hai|' capalA kA saMketa pAkara paricArikA khaMDa se bAhara calI gii| devakumAra bolA- 'devI! maiM Apako pahacAna hI nahIM skaa| nizcita hI mujhe Apase yaha kalA sIkhanI pdd'egii|' 'yuvarAjazrI ! kevala yahI kalA nahIM, maiM Apako sabhI kalAeM sikhAUMgI, yaha batAne ke lie hI maiMne abhI Apako bulAyA hai| Apa yahAM baittheN|' jayasena rUpI devakumAra Asana para baiTha gyaa| capalasenA bolI- 'yuvarAjazrI ! cora kA atA-patA laga jAne ke pazcAt maiM Apako kAmazAstra tathA anyAnya kalAoM meM nipuNa banA duuNgii| taba taka Apa mere atithi banakara yahIM rheN|' 'devI! abhI Apa isa veza meM.....?' 'yuvarAjazrI! maiM nagara-bhramaNa ke lie jA rahI huuN| mujhe merA kArya karanA hai|' 'yadi maiM bhI Apake sAtha nagara-bhramaNa karane calUM to ApakI rakSA kA kArya bhI hogA aura merA samaya bhI biitegaa|' jayasena ne khaa| 'yaha to bahuta uttama kArya hogA, kintu Apako pravAsa kA zrama....' 'yadi car3hate yauvana meM hI koI thaka jAtA hai to phira yauvana ke ullAsa kA mUlya hI kyA raha jAtA hai ? yadi Apako Apatti na ho to....' 'Apa jaldI taiyAra ho jAeM....mujhe bahuta Ananda aaegaa|' prasanna svaroM meM capalasenA bolii| thor3e hI kSaNoM meM donoM azvoM para ArUr3ha hokara nagara-bhramaNa ke lie nikala pdd'e| jayasena ne apanA dhanuSa aura bANoM kA tUNIra sAtha meM le liyaa| rAtri kA tIsarA prahara cala rahA thA....nagara zAMti kI goda meM so rahA thA....sAre bAjAra zUnyatA kA anubhava kara rahe the| yadA-kadA paharedAra aura guptacara idhara-udhara A-jA rahe the| capalA aura jayasena bAteM karate-karate ghUma rahe the....bIca-bIca meM koI paharedAra unheM lalakAratA, taba pUrva-nirdhArita saMketa ke anusAra capalA apanA bAyAM hAtha Upara uThAkara do bAra hilA detii| rAtri kA tIsarA prahara pUrA ho rahA thA....jauharI bAjAra se capalA aura jayasena gujara rahe the| usa samaya nagararakSaka siMha apane tejasvI ghor3e para baiThakara A rahA thaa| capalasenA ne pUchA- 'kyoM nagararakSakajI! Aja koI saMdehAspada vyakti milA?' 364 vIra vikramAditya

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'hAM, saMdehAspada tIna vyaktiyoM ko pakar3A hai|' 'acchA, kahAM pakar3e gae ?' 'eka vyakti pAnAgAra ke pAsa se.....dUsarA mahAjanavAr3I meM aura tIsarA jauharI bAjAra meM....' 've ekadama aparicita haiM?' 'hAM devI!' 'unakI umra......?' 'sabhI lagabhaga pacIsa-tIsa varSa ke haiN|' abhI taka mauna devakumAra bolA-'mahAzaya! tInoM vyaktiyoM ke pAsa se koI zastra bhI milA hai?' 'nahIM.....kintu maiMne Apako pahacAnA nhiiN|' siMha ne devakumAra kI ora ghUrate hue khaa| capalasenA haMsate-haMsate bolI-'ye mere priya atithi haiM aura merI rakSA ke nimitta sAtha Ae haiN|' 'ApakA zubha nAma?' 'jysen| koI du:khada ghaTanA to nahIM huI na?' 'nahIM, abhI taka kucha nahIM huaa| kintu cora itanA cAlAka hai ki kaba AtA hai aura kaba chiTaka jAtA hai, kucha bhI patA nahIM cltaa|' nagararakSaka ne khaa| phira sAmAnya bAtacIta kara, paraspara namana kara tInoM apane-apane mArga para Age bar3ha ge| capalasenA ko isa AkarSaka yuvaka kA sahavAsa AnandadAyI laga rahA thaa| vaha isake sAtha khulakara bAtacIta kara rahI thii| prAta:kAla se pUrva ve donoM bhavana kI ora agrasara hue| calate-calate jayasena bolA- 'devI! Apako eka prabaMdha kara denA caahie|' 'kaisA prabandha ?' 'apane dhana-bhaMDAra ke lie vizeSa surakSA-prabandha / ' 'kintu merA dhana-bhaMDAra cora kI najaroM meM nahIM car3ha sakatA / vaha bhavana ke eka gupta bhUgRha meM hai aura vahAM jAne kA mArga maiM yA mere kAmadAra ke sivAya koI nahIM jaantaa|' "phira bhI hameM sAre bhaya-sthAnoM para vicAra kara lenA cAhie...ApakI zakti bejor3a hai| saMbhava hai cora ATha dina taka chipA rahe aura phira kabhI hAtha sApha kara jaae|' jayasena ne gaMbhIra hokara khaa| vIra vikramAditya 365

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nagararakSaka siMha devI capalasenA ke bhavana para aayaa| vaha bolA-'devI! Apa sAvadhAna rheN| cora kaba A jAe aura kaba kyA kara baiThe, yaha kahanA atyanta kaThina hai| cora bahuta hI cAlAka aura pratizodha bhAvanA se paripUrNa hai| vaha mere ghara para corI kara eka cimaTA chor3a gayA thaa| usakA tAtparya aba mujhe samajha meM AyA hai| vaha yaha batA gayA ki maiM tumako eka bhikhArI mAtra mAnatA huuN| tuma merA bAla bhI bAMkA nahIM kara skoge| yaha cimaTA lekara bAbAjI bana jAo aura ghara-ghara bhIkha mAMgate phiro|' Aja rAta ko kaisI vyavasthA karanI hai-isa viSaya kI carcA kara nagararakSaka apane bhavana kI ora calA gyaa| capalA yuvarAja ke pAsa AyI aura unake kaMdhe para hAtha rakhakara bolI'yuvarAjazrI ! Aja taka cora ke koI samAcAra nahIM mile|' _ 'saMbhava hai ki vaha ApakI zakti se parAbhUta hokara bhAga gayA ho athavA zAMta hokara baiTha gayA ho|' 'use pakar3ane kA koI upAya hI nahIM sUjha rahA hai| maiMne jAna-bUjhakara apane pairoM para kulhAr3I mArI hai|' "devI! nirAza na hoN| abhI do dina-rAta bAkI haiN| yadi abhI Apa nirAza ho jAeMgI to cora ko pakar3a pAnA kaThina hogaa| vAstava meM Apake mamatApUrNa svabhAva ko dekhakara merA mana hotA hai ki maiM cora ko pakar3ane ke lie nagarI kA konA-konA chAna DAlUM....kintu devI ! maiM kyA karUM? isa nagarI se maiM sarvathA aparicita huuN|' capalasenA jayasena ke gAla para halkI-sI thapakI detI huI bolI-'nahIM yuvarAja! yaha kAma ApakA nhiiN| ApakI kAyA atyanta komala hai| rAta ko nIMda bhI Apane pUrI nahIM lI hai| ApakA zarIra kumhalA gayA hai|' ___'maiM to yahAM nivRtta-sA rahatA huuN| koI kAma-dhAma hI nahIM hai| bhojana kara so jAtA huuN| kintu Apako eka bAta mAnanI hogii|.....' capalA ne prazna-bharI najaroM se jayasena kI ora dekhaa| 'puruSa-veza ke badale yadi Apa strI ke veza meM nagara-bhramaNa kareMgI to adhika upayukta hogaa| cora jaba Apako strI veza meM dekhegA to vaha nizcita hI ApakA pIchA karegA athavA kucha kregaa| usa samaya hama usakA DaTakara mukAbalA kara skeNge| Apako puruSa-veza meM dekhakara vaha yahI mAnegA ki koI sainika A rahA hai| vaha Apase chiTaka jaaegaa|' __ 'ThIka hai, priyatama!.....tumhArI buddhi kA lohA mAnatI huuN|' capalA bhAvAveza meM bola utthii| 366 vIra vikramAditya

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aura devakumAra ne capalA kA mana pUrI taraha se par3ha liyaa| chaha dina aura chaha rAteM bIta gaIM, kintu cora ke viSaya meM koI samAcAra prApta nahIM huaa| aisA lagane lagA ki cora pAtAla meM calA gayA hai athavA avaMtI ko chor3akara bhAga gayA hai| ina chaha dinoM meM aneka saMdehAspada vyakti pakar3e gae aura ve saba kArAvAsa meM DAla diye ge| cora ko pakar3ane ke lie capalasenA ne pUrI jokhima uThAI thii| nagararakSaka ne nagarI meM pUrA jAla bichA rakhA thaa| capalasenA pratidina uttama vastrAlaMkAroM se sajjita hokara jayasena ke sAtha nagara-bhramaNa ke lie nikala par3atI thii| jayasena ne usake mana meM kAmanA kA dIpa prajvalita kara diyA thaa| satata sAhacarya ke kAraNa capalasenA ke hRdaya meM isa taruNa yuvaka ke sAtha kAma-krIr3A karane kI bhAvanA tIvra ho rahI thI, kintu vaha apane isa manobhAva ko kahane meM hicakatI thii| vaha kabhI jayasena kA hAtha pakar3a letI, kabhI usake kaMdhe thapathapAtI aura kabhI-kabhI halkA vinoda bhI kara letii| bAtoM-hI-bAtoM meM jayasena ne capalA ke bhaMDAra ke aneka rahasya jAna liye| sAtaveM dina kI saMdhyA A gii| jayasena capalasenA se pUchakara nagarI meM cakkara lagAne ke lie akelA hI nikala pdd'aa| capalasenA mada-bharI dRSTi se use dekhatI rhii| oha nArI! tU catura hai, capala hai aura vizva kA AkarSaNa hai| kintu terI eka hI durbalatA tujhe yugoM se chalatI rahI hai| capalasenA gaNikA hone para bhIthI eka strI hii| raMgarAga, vilAsa aura abhinava jIvana ke madhya vaha jI rahI thii| aneka prakAra ke puruSoM ko usane apane rUpajAla se phaMsA liyA thaa| kintu usake hRdaya kI durbalatA ne Aja use hI eka jAla meM phaMsA ddaalaa| eka to jayasena kI svastha aura sundara kAyA, prabhAvazAlI AMkheM aura navayauvana kI nirdoSa mAdakatA! capalasenA apanI tIsa varSa kI umra ko bhI bhUla-sI gii| use aisA laga rahA thA, mAno vaha pandraha varSa kI navayauvanA hai aura usake hAthoM meM AyA huA jayasena prIti kA pyAlA hai| aisA sundara yuvaka kisI bhAgyavAn nArI ko hI mila pAtA hai| sAtavAM dina bhI khAlI gyaa| cora kA patA nahIM lgaa| capalasenA ne dAsI se pUchA-'are, yuvarAjazrI nagarI kA cakkara lagAne gae the, abhI taka nahIM lauTe?' vIra vikramAditya 367

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mukhya paricArikA mAdhavI ne kahA- 'devI! yuvarAjazrI abhI taka nahIM lauTe haiN| vilamba kA kAraNa jJAta nahIM hai|' 'madhu! tU jA aura unakI khoja kr|' 'jI' kahakara madhu tatkAla khaMDa ke bAhara A gii| rAtri kA pahalA prahara bIta gyaa| usI samaya jayasena kakSa meM praveza kara devI capalasenA se bolA-'devI! kucha vilamba avazya huA, para eka mahattvapUrNa bAta hastagata huii|' 'acchA !' 'devI! eka pAnAgAra ke pAsa cAra madyapI baiThe the| ve paraspara bAtacIta kara rahe the| bAta-hI-bAta meM eka vyakti ne apane sAthI se pUchA-'are! tU kaha rahA thA ki eka yogI AyA hai?' 'hAM, kintu saMdhyA ke pazcAt vaha kisI se nahIM miltaa| Aja prAta:kAla hI vaha AyA hai| vaha cAmatkArika hai| maiM gayA thaa| usako praNAma kiyaa| usane mere hAtha meM bhabhUta DAlI aura maiMne Azcarya ke sAtha dekhA ki vaha bhabhUta pAMca svarNa mudrAoM meM badala gii|' tIsarA bolA-'are! vaha kahAM ThaharA huA hai?' cauthe ne usakA sthala btaayaa| devakumAra ne capalA se kahA-'yaha sArI bAta maiMne chipakara sunii|' 'kyA Apane sthala jAna liyA?' capalA ne puuchaa| 'maiM to sarvathA aparicita huuN| usane mujhe 'gaMdhrapI zmazAna' kI bAta kahI thii|' jayasena ne khaa| 'hAM, avaMtI kA yaha prasiddha cAmatkArika zmazAna hai|' capalA bolii| 'vahAM koI bhairava kA mandira hai ?' jayasena ne puuchaa| 'hAM, vahAM kAla-bhairava kA maMdira hai, kintu vaha bahuta bhayaMkara hai| vahAM koI A-jA nahIM sktaa|' capalA ne khaa| jayasena tatkAla bolA- 'taba to devI ! vaha yogI aura koI nahIM, avazya hI cora honA cAhie....vaha pAMca svarNamudrAeM detA hai....rAta meM kisI se milatAjulatA nahIM, ye sArI bAteM mana meM zaMkA utpanna karatI haiN|' 'saMbhava hai, vaha cora na ho|' capalA ne jijJAsA kii| __ 'taba koI bhaya nahIM hai| yogI yadi vAstava meM hI camatkArI hogA to Apa jaisI nArI kI bAta para avazya hI dhyAna degA aura cora pakar3ane kA mArga sujhaayegaa|' jayasena ne khaa| 368 vIra vikramAditya

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bhojana kA samaya ho cukA thA / capalA kI do paricArikAeM do thAla lekara vahAM A phuNcii| jayasena aura capalA ne hAtha-muMha dhokara bhojana prArambha kiyA / bhojana se pUrva capalasenA ko maireyapAna kI Adata thI.... phira vaha dUsare prahara ke aMta meM bhI eka bAra maireyapAna karatI thI / devakumAra mAMsAhAra, maireyapAna Adi se paraheja rakhatA thaa| usameM mAM ke saMskAra the / usane ina mAdaka vastuoM kA sevana na karane kI pratijJA le rakhI thI / maireya kA pAtra bharate - bharate capalA bolI- 'priyeza ! Aja to pAna kareM... / ' 'nahIM, devI! Apa to jAnatI hI haiM ki maiM maireyapAna nahIM karatA / ' jayasena bolA / 'priyA aura priyatama kA jaba milana hotA hai taba maireya kI mastI se dUsarA hI raMga khilatA hai / ' capalA ne caMcala hote hue kaha DAlA / 'devI! Apa kSamA kreN| maiMne mAtA ko caraNa-sparza kara madirA aura mAMsa kA tyAga kiyA hai| dUsarI bAta yaha hai ki mujhe abhI taka priyA aura priyatama ke pAgalapana kA anubhava bhI nahIM hai| Apa to mere jIvana kI darda - kathA jAnatI hI haiM / ' 'isIlie to maiM Agraha kara rahI huuN| yaha sAmAnya madirA nahIM hai, ucca koTi kA maireya hai| maireyapAna se dila kA darda gAyaba ho jAtA hai aura svAsthya bhI sudharatA hai|' capalasenA Agraha karatI rahI / 'devI ! koI bhI nArI, phira cAhe vaha mAtA ho, bhaginI ho yA priyatamA ho, vaha apane priya se aisA Agraha kabhI nahIM krtii| Aga kitanI hI komala ho, para vaha Aga hI hai / ' capalasenA haMsa par3I aura haMsate-haMsate maireyapAna karane lgii| usane socA, adhika khIMcane se TUTane kA bhaya rahatA hai| eka bAra jaba naujavAna ko rUpa aura yauvana kA svAda AegA, taba vaha svayaM hI maireya kA pipAsu bana jaaegaa| eka ghaTikA meM bhojana-kArya sampanna ho gyaa| rAtri ke prathama prahara ke pUre hone kI ghaMTI baja utthii| jayasena rUpI devakumAra hAtha dhote-dhote bolA- 'devI ! aba hameM usa yogI se milane kI taiyArI karanI caahie| Apa AjJA deM to maiM akelA hI vahAM ho AUM / ' nahIM, maiM bhI sAtha cluuNgii|' capalA ne kahA / 'to hameM aba calanA caahie|' jayasena bolaa| 'abhI to dUsarA prahara prArambha hI huA hai|' 'striyoM ko taiyAra hone meM vilamba ho hI jAtA hai|' vIra vikramAditya 366

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'oha! maiM mAtra do ghaTikA meM taiyAra ho jaauuNgii|' 'Apake pAsa kAle raMga kI cAdara hai ?' 'hAM, kyoM?' 'hameM do cAdareM sAtha meM rakhanI hoNgii| nagarI ke bAhara kAlabhairava maMdira kI ora jAte samaya hameM kAlI cAdara or3hanI hogii|' 'to mujhe bhI puruSa-veza dhAraNa karanA hogA?' 'nahIM, devI! Apa strI-veza meM hI cleN| yogI kitanA hI mahAna kyoM na ho, usako vicalita karane kI zakti nArI ke atirikta aura kisI meM nahIM hotii| aura Apa to tribhuvanamohinI rUpa haiN| solaha zRMgAra kara Apa taiyAra ho jaaeN| yadi vaha yogI vAstava meM hI cora hogA to Apake rUpa se dagdha hokara jhuka jAegA aura vaha ApakI prArthanA ko kabhI asvIkAra nahIM kregaa|' devakumAra ne sahaja svaroM meM khaa| do kSaNa taka maunabhAva se capalA yuvarAja ko nihAratI rhii| mana-hI-mana socA-mujhe bhuvanamohinI mAnane vAlA yaha rAjakumAra kyA mere rUpa-lAvaNya meM mugdha ho cukA hai ? umra kI asamAnatA ke kAraNa to nahIM hicaka rahA hai? usane madhura svaroM meM kahA- 'kumArazrI! ApakI umra alpa hone para bhI.....' 'anubhava kI alpatA hai| maiMne jo kucha sunA hai, vaha Apase kahA hai| merI bAta yadi ucita na ho to....' bIca meM hI jayasena ne khaa| jayasena apanA vAkya pUrA kare, usase pahale hI capalasenA bola par3I, 'nahIM, priya ! ApakI bAta saca hai....strI jo cAhe vaha kara sakatI hai-isI bhAvanA ke AdhAra para maiMne cora ko pakar3ane kA bIr3A uThAyA hai|' devakumAra bolA- 'bAtoM-hI-bAtoM meM vilamba ho jaaegaa|' haMsatI-haMsatI capalasenA vastra-kakSa kI ora calI gii| devakumAra vahIM baiThA rhaa| 68. nirarthaka khoja rAtri kA dUsarA prahara pUrA ho, usase pUrva hI tejasvI azvoM para ArUr3ha hokara capalasenA aura devakumAra nagarI ke bAhara nikala ge| capalasenA Aja vAstava meM hI bhuvanamohinI laga rahI thii| rAtri kA samaya hone ke kAraNa usake pacaraMgI vastroM ke vividha varNa aspaSTa laga rahe the, phira bhI usake mUlyavAn aura tejasvI alaMkAra gaganamaMDala kI tArikAoM kI bhAMti camaka rahe the| 370 vIra vikramAditya

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gaMdhrapI zmazAna kI ora jAne vAle mArga para Ate hI devakumAra bolA-'devI! kyA yahAM koI surakSita sthAna hai?' 'kyoM?' 'hama apane azvoM ko surakSita sthAna para bAMdhakara cleN|' 'nahIM, priya ! zmazAna yahAM se eka kosa kI dUrI para hai| bIca meM kAlabhairava kI ora jAne vAlI pagaDaMDI aaegii| vahIM hama apane azvoM ko bAMdha deNge|' capalA ne khaa| 'acchA, kintu apane azvoM kI AvAja maMdira taka nahIM pahuMcanI caahie....|' 'Apa bahuta sAvaceta haiN| yadi ApakA sahayoga nahIM milatA to maiM nirAza ho jaatii|' capalA ne khaa| mArga janazUnya thaa| gaMdhrapIzmazAna kI ora jAne meM sAhasI vyakti bhI kAMpa uThate the aura madhyarAtri meM vahAM jAne kA sAhasa kauna kare? jayasena ne pUchA- 'devI ! maiMne sunA hai ki yaha zmazAna bahuta cAmatkArika hai| kyA yaha saca hai?' 'hAM, priya! avaMtI kA yaha zmazAna bahuta cAmatkArika hai| yaha bhUta, preta, zAkinI, vyaMtara Adi kA vAsa-sthAna hai| pAMca-dasa vyakti milakara hI yahAM Ane kA sAhasa karate haiN|' "Apane dekhA hai?' 'hAM, do-cAra bAra maiM yahAM AyI huuN| zmazAna se kucha hI dUrI para kAmadeva kA eka prAcIna maMdira hai| hamArA gaNikA samAja usakA ArAdhaka hai| isalie pratyeka gaNikA yahAM AtI-jAtI rahatI hai| kintu rAta meM yahAM koI nahIM aataa|' 'devI! mana meM kisI prakAra kA bhaya to nahIM hai?' 'Apa-jaise dhanurdhara ke sAtha hote bhaya kisa bAta kA?' jayasena kucha nahIM bolaa| ve donoM Age bar3hate ge| eka sthAna para Akara capalasenA bolI- 'yaha sthAna azvoM ke lie surakSita hai| hama yahAM azvoM ko bAMdha kAlabhairava maMdira kI ora cleN|' calate-calate capalasenA kA mana adhIra ho utthaa| rAtri kA samaya, naujavAna kA sahavAsa / usakA mana huA ki vaha jayasena se lipaTa jAe, para.... donoM kAlI cAdara or3he Age bar3ha rahe the| capalasenA ne jayasena kA hAtha pakar3a rakhA thaa| kucha dUra jAne para jayasena bolA- 'devI! hama mArga bhUla gae hoM, aisA laga rahA hai| rAtri kA tIsarA prahara pUrA hone vAlA hai|' vIra vikramAditya 371

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capalasenA ne cAroM ora dekhakara kahA- 'nahIM, hama sahI mArga para cala rahe haiN|' jayasena ne yaha mArga pahale hI dekha liyA thaa| usane eka naujavAna vyakti ko yogI banAkara kAlabhairava ke maMdira meM baiThane ke lie protsAhita kiyA thaa| usako jayasena ne dasa svarNamudrAeM dI thIM aura kyA karanA hai, yaha bhI samajhA diyA thaa| oha ! dhana kA pralobhana....! kucha dUra calanepara ullAsa bhare svaroM meM capalA bola uThI-'oha ! sAmane jo dikha rahA hai, vaha hai kAlabhairava kA mNdir|' 'taba to hameM sAvadhAnIpUrvaka calanA caahie| dvAra meM kucha prakAza-sA dikha rahA hai| saMbhava hai yogI kI dhUnI jala rahI ho|' capalasenA mauna rhii| donoM sthirabhAva se maMdira kI ora bar3ha rahe the| maMdira ke nikaTa jAte hI jayasena ne saMketa se batAyA ki aba mauna rahanA hai aura pIchepIche AnA hai| capalasenA bahuta cAlAka thI, para thI to eka nArI hii| usake hRdaya kI dhar3akana bar3ha cukI thii| usane jayasena kA hAtha chor3A nhiiN| jayasena ne maMdira ke sAmane dekhaa| yogI AMkheM baMda kara baiThA thaa| usake sAmane do lakkar3a jala rahe the| jayasena ne bhAva bhare svaroM meM bolA- 'yogIrAja kI jaya ho|' yogIrAja ne gaMbhIra vANI meM kahA- 'baccA! aurata ko sAtha lekara kyoM AyA hai?' 'yogIrAja! hama donoM Apake darzana karane Ae haiN| hama para kRpA kreN|' 'baiTha jaao|' yogI ne khaa| jayasena aura capalasenA-donoM baiTha ge| yogIrAja ne netra kholakara donoM kI ora dekhate hue kahA - 'bahana! maiMne tumhAre mana kI bAta jAna lI hai| tuma jisa cora ke pIche par3I ho, vaha cora mAMtrika hai|' 'yogIrAja ! Apa to mana kI bAta jAna sakate haiN| Apa kRpA kara mujhe aisA upAya batAeM ki maiM usa cora ko pakar3a saku~ / ' capalA ne khaa| yogI netra baMda kara, kucha kSaNa mauna rahane ke pazcAt bolA- 'bahana! tumhArI manokAmanA bhairavanAtha pUrI kreNge| sAtha meM yaha lar3akA kauna hai?' 'mere priyatama haiN|' 372 vIra vikramAditya

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'acchA-acchA' kahakara yogI ne bhabhUta kI eka cuTakI capalasenA ke muMha para chir3akate hue kahA-'kala rAta ke tIsare prahara meM vaha cora tumhArI pakar3a meM A jaaegaa|' para yaha kyA? capalasenA ko eka chIMka AyI aura vaha behoza hokara jamIna para lur3haka gyii| jayasena ne usako vyavasthita sulA diyA, phira yogI kI ora dekhakara kahA- 'vAha, tumhArA abhinaya kamAla kA rhaa| aba tuma zIghra hI taiyAra ho jaao|' 'isakA kyA kareMge?' 'maiM saba kucha kara luuNgaa|' jayasena bolaa| phira usane socA, capalA kA dhana-bhaMDAra na sahI, isake AbhUSaNoM kI corI to kara hI lenI caahie| yaha socakara usane capalasenA ke zarIra ke sAre AbhUSaNa utArakara pAsa meM eka gar3he meM chipAkara, pahacAna ke lie eka patthara rakha diyaa| phira usane usa yogI-rUpI vyakti se kahA-'dekho, pahale mere muMha para kAlimA lagA do aura phira capalA kA muMha bhI kAlA kara denaa|' usane jayasena aura mUrcchita capalasenA ke gauravadana ko kAlA kara diyaa| phira kamaMDalu ke pAnI se jalate lakkar3a ko bujhAyA aura banAvaTI veza utArakara mUlaveza dhAraNa kara liyaa| jayasena ne yogI bane hue usa vyakti ko dasa svarNamudrAeM aura dekara bhAga jAne ke lie kahA / vaha haMsate-haMsate calA gyaa| jayasena vahIM so gyaa| ThaMDI havA ke jhoMko se use gaharI nIMda A gii| prAta:kAla prArambha ho cukA thaa| capalasenA ne nayana kholane kA prayatna kiyaa| para vaha saphala nahIM huii|| sUryodaya huaa| capalasenA ne AMkheM ttimttimaaiiN| usane cAroM ora dekhA / yuvarAja ko pAsa meM soye dekhakara vaha tatkAla uTha baitthii| yuvarAja kA muMha kAlA syAha bana cukA thaa| vaha bolI- 'are, yaha kyA? mere sAre alaMkAra kahAM gae? oha ! vaha yogI nahIM, cAlAka cora hI thaa|' ____ usane jayasena ko jhakajhora kara utthaayaa| AMkheM malatA huA jayasena uThA aura capalasenA ko dekhate hI bolA-'are! yaha kyA?' 'kumAra! vaha yogI hI cora thaa| mere sAre alaMkAra lekara bhAga gyaa| tumhArA ceharA to....' 'are! usa cAlAka cora ne ApakA muMha bhI kAlA kara ddaalaa| hama bure phaMse....' kahakara jayasena baiTha gyaa| vIra vikramAditya 373

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donoM ke muMha kAle the / capalA atyanta nirAzA kA anubhava kara rahI thI / jayasena maMdira meM cAroM ora dekhakara bolA- 'devI! Apako isa apamAna kA sAmanA karanA par3A, isakA jimmevAra maiM hI huuN| yogI ko dekhate hI maiM jAgarUka nahIM raha sakA / ' 'priya ! ApakA doSa nahIM hai| doSa merA hI hai| maiMne use sacamuca yogI mAna liyA thaa| yadi hama pahale hI yogI ko..... khaira ! luTane ke pazcAt buddhimAnI kI hAMkanA vyartha hai / ' kucha samaya pazcAt donoM vahAM se cala pdd'e| donoM ke kaMdhoM para kAlI cAdara rakhI huI thii| usase donoM ne apanA-apanA muMha poMchane kA prayatna kiyA, kintu vyrth| kisI vanaspati ke rasa ke sAtha kAlI syAhI milAkara cupar3I gaI thI, isalie vaha camar3I ke sAtha ekameka ho gaI thii| jayasena bolA - 'devI ! rAste meM koI jalAzaya AyegA ?' 'hAM, mukhya rAste para eka bAvar3I hai| kyoM pUchate haiM ?' 'aise kAle muMha lekara hama nagara meM kaise jAeMge ?' 'kumAra ! pahalI najara meM hI manuSya ko parakhane vAlI maiM pachAr3a khA gaI, vahAM kAle muMha kI cintA hI kyA hai ?' donoM mukhya rAste para A ge| donoM azva vahIM khar3e the| capalasenA aura jayasena donoM azvoM para baiThakara nagarI kI ora cala pdd'e| rAste meM bAvar3I aayii| donoM vahAM utare aura muMha kI kAlimA ko dUra karane kA prayatna karane lge| bahuta zrama karane ke pazcAt bhI ve sArI kAlikA nahIM dho ske| phira donoM ghor3oM para ArUr3ha hokara bhavana kI ora cala par3e / jaba ve bhavana para Ae taba nagararakSaka unakI pratIkSA meM vahIM baiThA thaa| donoM ko dekhakara vaha Azcaryacakita raha gayA / jayasena ne cora kI cAlAkI kI bAta batAI / pUrI bAta sunane ke pazcAt nagararakSaka bolA- 'itanA acchA avasara milA aura Apane mujhe sUcanA nahIM dii| lagatA hai, vaha yogI hI cora thaa| acchA devI! usa cora kI umra kA kucha anumAna hai ?' 'hAM, vaha lagabhaga tIsa-paiMtIsa varSa kA honA caahie| maiM pUrA anumAna karUM usase pUrva hI usane mere muMha para bhabhUta DAlI aura phira kyA huA, maiM nahIM jAnatI / ' itane meM hI jayasena bolA- 'nagararakSakajI ! jyoM hI devI jamIna para lur3hakane lagIM, maiMne apanI talavAra nikAlane kA prayatna kiyaa| para usa duSTa yogI ne mere para bhUta ddaalii| do kSaNa taka mana meM AkulatA rahI aura phira maiM bhI behoza ho gyaa| 374 vIra vikramAditya

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phira sUryodaya ke samaya devI ne mujhe jhakajhorakara uThAyA aura taba hamane dekhA ki donoM ke muMha para kAlikha putI huI hai|' nagararakSaka bolA-'nirAza hone kI koI bAta nahIM hai| Aja AThavAM dina hai| saMbhava hai Aja cora yahAM A jaae|' nagararakSaka vahAM se vidA huaa| madhyAhna taka samUcI nagarI meM yaha bAta phaila gaI ki cAlAka cora ne kisa prakAra capalasenA ke muMha para tamAcA mArA hai|| aba kyA karanA hai-yaha prazna ubharakara sAmane A gyaa| capalA nirAzA ke sAgara meM samA gii| manuSya ke citta meM jaba nirAzA janma letI hai taba vaha TUTa jAtA hai| capalasenA pUrNa rUpa se TUTa cukI thii| Aja aMtima dina thaa| bhojana se nivRtta hokara capalA apane zayanakakSa meM zayyA para so gii| jayasena usase milane do bAra gayA, para vaha milI nahIM, vaha so rahI thii| anta meM jayasena ne eka patra likhakara paricArikA ko dete hue kahA-'tuma yaha patra devI ko de denaa| maiM nagarI meM ghUmakara zIghra A jaauuNgaa|' __ paricArikA ne patra le liyaa| devI abhI taka so rahI thiiN| saMdhyA ho cukI thii| paricArikA devI ke khaMDa meM dIpamAlA prajvalita karane ke lie gii| usane diipjlaae| itane meM hI devI ne AMkheM kholI aura kahA-'are, saMdhyA bIta gayI?' 'devI ! Aja Apako gaharI nIMda A gyii| nagararakSaka Apase milane Ae para Apako nidrAdhIna jAnakara cale ge| yuvarAjazrI do bAra Ae the aura abhIabhI eka patra dekara nagarI meM ghUmane gae haiN|' 'patra?' 'hAM' kahatI huI paricArikA ne apane uttarIya se baMdhe hue patra ko capalasenA ke samakSa prastuta kiyaa| capalA ne adhIratA se patra kholA-usameM likhA thA 'devI capalasenA! mere kAraNa Apako bahuta apamAnita honA par3A hai| maiM pratyakSata: Apase kSamA-yAcanA karatA, para Apako nIMda meM uThAnA maiMne ucita nahIM samajhA, isalie patra likhanA par3A hai| maiM Aja pUrI rAta cora kI Toha meM ghUmatA rahUMgA aura use pakar3akara hI sAMsa luuNgaa| maiM apanA du:kha bhulAne ke lie Apake yahAM AyA, para Apako du:khI kara DAlA / yadi maiM Aja apane prayatna meM saphala rahA to Apase sAkSAtkAra karane zIghra A pahuMcUMgA, anyathA maiM apanA muMha Apako nahIM dikhaauuNgaa| ApakA- 'jayasena' vIra vikramAditya 375

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patra ko par3hate hI capalasenA palaMga se uTha khar3I huI aura paricArikA kI ora dekhakara bolI-'yuvarAjazrI mere se milane Ae aura tUne unako yahAM kyoM nahIM Ane diyA?' 'devI! Apane hI to AjJA dI thii.....|' 'kintu merI AjJA to bAhara vAloM ke lie thI.....oha! yuvarAjazrI ko gae kitanA samaya huA hai?' 'lagabhaga tIna ghaTikA bItI haiN|' 'jA, unako khojane ke lie cAra rakSakoM ko bheja aura unase kaha de ki jahAM bhI yuvarAjazrI mileM, unheM apane sAtha yahAM le aae| Aja maiM kahIM nahIM jAne vAlI thI, kintu aba mujhe nagarabhramaNa ke lie jAnA hI pdd'egaa|' mukhya paricArikA praNAma kara khaMDa ke bAhara calI gii| Aja capalA ko doharI nirAzA kA sAmanA karanA par3a rahA thaa| eka ora yaha ghora nirAzA use jhakajhora rahI thI ki cora nahIM milA aura rAjarAjezvara ke samakSa use nIcA dekhanA pdd'egaa| dUsarI nirAzA yaha huI ki eka rUpavAn naujavAna jo prApta huA thA, jisameM samAkara maiM apane du:kha ko bhUla jAnA cAhatI thI, jisake AliMgana meM baddha hokara maiM apUrva Ananda kA anubhava karanA cAhatI thI, vaha sundara kAmadeva-sA yuvaka mere hAtha se nikala gyaa| kAza! maiM..... rAtri kA dUsarA prahara pUrA huaa| capalasenA veza-parivartana kara jayasena ko khojane ke lie nagarI meM nikala pdd'ii| rAtri ke tIsare prahara taka bhI jayasena nahIM milaa| vaha usakI khoja meM ghUmatI rhii| cauthA prahara pUrA hone vAlA thaa| capalasenA nirAza hokara bhavana lauTa aayii| sAre nagara meM capalasenA ke Thage jAne kI bAta ho rahI thii| yatra-tatra-sarvatra cora sarvahara kI carcA ho rahI thii| sabhI Azcaryacakita the| sabhI rAjyAdhikArI tathA svayaM vIra vikramAditya bhI cora ko pakar3ane ke lie naye-naye upAya socane lge| para koI bhI upAya kAragara nahIM ho rahA thaa| sabhI cintita the| usI dina rAjasabhA jur3I aura usameM mahAmaMtrI bhaTTamAtra ne kahA'maiM tIna dina ke bhItara-bhItara cora ko apane jAla meM phaMsA luuNgaa| cora ko anya upAyoM se nahIM pakar3A jA sktaa| vaha buddhimAn hai| usako buddhimattA se hI pakar3A jA sakatA hai| maiM mAnatA hUM ki cora sarvahara abhI hamAre madhya baiThA hogaa| maiM use cunautI detA hUM ki vaha mere bhavana meM Ae aura mere kakSa meM eka tripadI para rakhe svarNathAla meM rakhI huI nIlama kI muktAmAlA uMThA le jAe; anyathA vaha apanI parAjaya svIkAra kara apanA corI kA dhaMdhA chor3a de| buddhi ke maidAna meM Ane kA nimaMtraNa maiM cora ko detA huuN| vaha Ae aura mere para vijaya prApta kre|' 376 vIra vikramAditya

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devakumAra usa samaya apanI mAtA se milakara avaMtI AyA hI thA / sArI nagarI meM mahAmaMtrI kI cunautI kI bAta phaila gii| sarvatra usakI carcA hone lagI / 66. mUMcha kaTa gaI sabhI logoM ko Azcarya ho rahA thA ki cora tIna dinoM ke bhItara mahAmaMtrI ke bhavana meM kaise praveza kara pAegA ? aura yadi cora svarNathAla sahita usa nIlama kI mukkAmAlA ko uThAne nahIM AegA, to usakI buddhi kA dIvAlA nikala jAegA / mahAmaMtrI ne buddhi kA dAMvapeca lar3AyA hai| dekheM, kyA pariNAma AtA hai ? devakumAra ko yaha cunautI kucha bhArI laga rahI thii| use pUrNa rUpa se yaha jJAta nahIM thA ki jaba vaha corI karane nikalatA hai aura puna: apane nivAsa sthala para pahuMcatA hai, taba taka mAtA ke kar3e ke prabhAva se vaha adRzya rahatA hai| corI kA nimitta na hone para vaha sabako dikhAI detA hai| vaha mAtra yahI jAnatA thA ki kar3e ke prabhAva se vaha kisI kI pakar3a meM nahIM aataa| usane mahAmaMtrI ko cakamA dene kA nirNaya kara liyaa| usane pahale janatA kA dhyAna anyatra kendrita karane ke lie eka koTyAdhipati seTha ke vahAM mUlyavAn ratnoM kI corI kii| usane seTha ke dhana-bhaMDAra sarvahara nAma aMkita kara eka patra bhI rakha diyA / dUsare dina usane rAjya ke mahAbalAdhikRta ke bhavana se alaMkAroM kI peTI curA lii| usake bhaMDAra meM bhI sarvahara nAmAMkita tAr3apatra camaka rahA thaa| mahAbalAdhikRta ke bhavana meM corI ho, yaha mAlava rAjya ke rakSAtaMtra ke lie lajjAspada bAta thii| tIsare dina rakSA kI vyavasthA aura kar3I kara dI gii| mahAmaMtrI kI akulAhaTa bhI bar3ha cukI thii| unake mukhya khaMDa meM eka tripadI kA svarNathAla rakhA huA thA aura usameM nIlama kI mAlA camaka rahI thii| mahAmaMtrI bhavana chor3akara kahIM AtejAte nahIM the / ve nirantara cora kI tAka meM rahate, kyoMki yadi cora pakar3a meM na AyA, to mahArAjA kI kIrti para dhabbA laga jAne kA bhaya unheM satA rahA thA / ve rAjasabhA meM kucha samaya ke lie avazya jAte the / tIsare dina ve bhavana kA kArya nibaTAkara eka ratha meM baiThakara bhavana se bAhara nikale, usI samaya eka naujavAna azvArohI unake ratha ke sAmane AyA aura ratha ko rokane kI prArthanA karate hue bolA- 'mahAmaMtrI kI jaya ho ! rAjarAjezvara svayaM Apake yahAM padhAra rahe haiM / ' 'oha ! kintu maiM to vahIM A rahA thA / ' vIra vikramAditya 377

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azvArohI bolA- 'unake sAtha mahAbalAdhikRta bhI haiN| ve kucha mahattvapUrNa vicAra-vimarza karane ke lie yahAM A rahe haiN|' mahAmaMtrI ne naujavAna ko painI dRSTi se dekhate hue kahA- 'maiMne tumheM pahacAnA nhiiN|' naujavAna abhI taka azva para ArUr3ha thaa| usane muskarAte hue kahA'Apa to bar3e AdamI haiN| mahAbalAdhikRta ke bAlaka ko kaise pahacAneMge?' 'oha!' kahakara mahAmaMtrI ne rathacAlaka ko ratha mor3ane ke lie khaa| ratha ke pIche-pIche naujavAna ne bhI apane azva ko mahAmaMtrI ke bhavana meM praveza kraayaa| ratha se mahAmaMtrI nIce utre| unakI dRSTi mahAbalAdhikRta ke putra para pdd'ii| unhoMne tatkAla pUchA- 'kyA kucha kahanA hai ?' 'hAM kRpAlu ! mujhe eka mahattvapUrNa saMdeza denA hai|' 'saMdeza!' 'hAM, maMtrIzvara! atigupta aura mahattvapUrNa saMdeza! Apa bhItara caleM, maiM btaauuNgaa|' mahAmaMtrI kA Azcarya vRddhiMgata huaa| ve Age cale aura apane mukhya khaMDa meM aae| dvAra para khar3e rakSaka eka ora khisaka ge| eka tripadI para svarNa kA thAla par3A thaa| usa thAla meM nIlama kI mAlA camacamA rahI thii| mahAmaMtrI ne pUchA- 'tumhArA nAma ?' 'jayakumAra, mahAtman! mahAbalAdhikRta ke yahAM kala corI hI nahIM huI, unakI SoDazavarSIyA putrI-merI bahana-kA bhI apaharaNa ho gyaa| yaha bAta kisI ko jJAta na ho, isalie mujhe Apake pAsa bhejA hai| rAjarAjezvara bhI isa bAta se bahuta cintita ho gae haiM aura Apako bulAne ke lie bhejA haiM' 'atyanta bhayaMkara samAcAra! taba tumane mujhe vahAM se mor3A kyoM?' 'isake lie maiM Apase kSamA mAMga letA huuN| yaha bAta sArathI ke sammukha kahane yogya nahIM thI, isiilie....|' 'oha! tuma bar3e cAlAka ho| acchA, calo', kahakara mahAmaMtrI khar3e hue| usa samaya kakSa meM mahAmaMtrI ke sivAya aura koI nahIM thaa| naujavAna ne kSaNa kA bhI vilamba na kara, usI samaya saMmUrchana cUrNa kI eka cuTakI mahAmaMtrI ke muMha para DAlI...mahAmaMtrI cauMke...ve muMha se kucha zabda nikAleM, usase pUrva hI ve jamIna para lur3haka ge| vaha jaya nahIM, kintu devakumAra hI thaa| usane tatkAla usa kakSa kA dvAra baMda kara diyA aura mahAmaMtrI ke eka ora kI mUMcha kATa lii| phira usane svarNathAla 378 vIra vikramAditya

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sahita nIlama kI muktAmAlA ko apane kabje meM kara cAroM ora dekhaa| calate-calate usane mahAmaMtrI ke hAtha meM bAMsa kI eka nalikA bhI pakar3A dii| vaha mukhya dvAra se hokara vAyuvega se bAhara nikala gyaa| nIce cAra rakSaka khar3e the, para ve kucha bole nhiiN| naujavAna apane azva para baiThakara vikramagar3ha kI ora calA gyaa| rAjasabhA kA samaya ho cukA thaa| mahArAjA vIra vikramAditya rAjasabhA meM pahuMca gae the| Aja rAjasabhA khacAkhaca bharI huI thii| mahAmaMtrI ko na AyA dekhakara unhoMne eka vyakti ko mahAmaMtrI ke bhavana kI ora bhejaa| rAjasabhA kA saMdezavAhaka mahAmaMtrI ke bhavana para gayA aura vahAM ke sevaka se kahA-'rAjarAjezvara rAjasabhA meM padhAra gae haiM aura mahAmaMtrI ko zIghra Ane ke lie saMdeza bhejA hai|' sevaka bolA-'Apa mere sAtha cleN|' donoM mahAmaMtrI ke kakSa ke pAsa phuNce| sevaka ne dhIre se dvAra kholA aura bhUmi para soye hue mahAmaMtrI kI ora dekhakara kahA- 'mahAtman!' kintu sune kauna? rAjasabhA kA saMdezavAhaka bhI kakSa meM gayA aura jahAM mahAmaMtrI par3e the, vahAM jAkara mahAmaMtrI ko sambodhita kiyaa| para vyartha / usane dekhA ki mahAmaMtrI kI bAyIM mUMcha gAyaba hai| are, yaha kyA? sevaka bhI cauNkaa| saMdezavAhaka bolA- 'zIghratA se jala kA pAtra le aao| mahAmaMtrI nidrAdhIna nahIM, mUrcchita haiN| nIlama kI mAlA vAlA svarNathAla yahAM rakhA rahatA thA, vaha kahAM hai?' sevaka bolA- 'usa tripadI para.....are, thAla kahAM gayA?' saMdezavAhaka ne use pAnI lAne ke lie puna: khaa| jalapAtra AyA aura sAtha-hI-sAtha dAsiyoM kA samUha bhI vahAM upasthita ho gyaa| ___ saMdezavAhaka ne mahAmaMtrI ke muMha para zItala jala ke chIMTe die aura kucha hI kSaNoM ke pazcAt mahAmaMtrI ne AMkheM kholiiN| unhoMne saMdezavAhaka kI ora dRSTi karate hue kahA- 'kyoM samara ! tuma yahAM kahAM se A gae ? mahAbalAdhikRta kA putra kahAM gayA?' ___ 'mahAbalAdhikRta kA putra ? mahAmaMtrIzrI, Apa kucha svastha ho jaaeN| maiM Apako bulAne AyA huuN| rAjarAjezvara rAjasabhA meM padhAra gae haiM aura unhoMne Apako yAda kiyA hai| ApakA svarNathAla cora uThA le gayA hai...ApakI eka ora kI mUMcha bhI kaTI huI hai|' samara ne khaa| vIra vikramAditya 376

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mahAmaMtrI ne mUMcha para hAtha pheraa| mUMcha kaTI huI thii| phira unhoMne samara se kahA-'tuma jAo aura yahAM kI sArI bAta rAjarAjezvara ko nivedita kara do| maiM abhI A rahA huuN|' saMdezavAhaka samarasiMha mahAmaMtrI ko namana kara calA gyaa| mahAmaMtrI ke mana meM atyanta vedanA ubhara rahI thii| unhoMne tripadI kI ora dekhA, phira vahAM khar3e rakSaka kI ora dekhakara kahA-'vaha naujavAna azvArohI kisa ora gayA hai?' 'jo Apake sAtha-sAtha AyA thA, vaha ?' 'haaN|' 'vaha to yahAM se kabhI kA calA gyaa|' 'kisa ora gayA hai?' 'saMbhava hai rAjasabhA kI ora gayA ho!' mahAmaMtrI khar3e hue| unakI dRSTi gaddI para par3I bAMsa kI nalikA para pdd'ii| usameM eka tAr3apatra thaa| mahAmaMtrI ne use nikaalaa| usa para likhA thA-'yaha saMdeza Apa mahAmaMtrI vikramAditya ke pAsa pahuMcA deN| ApakA sevk-srvhr|' mahAmaMtrI kapAla para hAtha rakhakara gaddI para baiTha gae aura eka sevaka se bole'jA, nAI ko bulA laa|' 'jI' kahakara sevaka khaMDa se bAhara nikala gyaa| mahAmaMtrI cintAmagna ho ge| kyA vahI naujavAna cora hogA? nahIM, nhiiN| guptacaroM ne cora kI umra tIsa-paiMtIsa varSa kI batAI thI aura yaha naujavAna solahaaThAraha varSa kA honA caahie| itanI choTI umra kA naujavAna itanA buddhimAn! kucha hI samaya meM nAI A gyaa| mahAmaMtrI ne dUsare ora kI mUMcha kA bhI muMDana karA liyA aura taiyAra hokara rAjasabhA kI ora nikala pdd'e| vIra vikramAditya, mahAbalAdhikRta, mahApratihAra Adi eka kakSa meM baiThe the| kamalA rAnI bhI sAtha hI thii| mahAmaMtrI bhaTTamAtra vahAM phuNce| vIra vikrama bole- 'samara ne sArI bAta batA dI thii| sabhI ko yaha vizvAsa thA ki cora avazya hI Apake jAla meM phaMsa jaaegaa|' 'mahArAja! cora ke badale maiM hI apane jAla meM phaMsa gyaa|' kahakara mahAmaMtrI ne Adi se anta taka sArA vRttAnta kaha sunaayaa| phira mahAmaMtrI ne bAMsa kI nalikA meM rakhe tAr3apatra ko vIra vikrama ke hAtha meM sauMpate hue kahA-'mahArAja! cora ne Apake nAma para yaha saMdeza bhI diyA hai?' 'isameM kyA likhA hai ?' vikrama ne puuchaa| 380 vIra vikramAditya

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'maiMne dekhA nhiiN| Apake nAma kA saMdeza hai|' mahAmaMtrI ne khaa| vikrama saMdeza lekara apane rAjabhavana meM A ge| ve apane ArAmagRha meM Ae aura dvAra banda kara usa saMdeza ko par3hane lge| usameM likhA thA 'parama pUjya rAjarAjezvara mAlavapati paramavIra vikramAditya mahArAja ke caraNakamaloM meM dAsAnudAsa sarvahara kA bhaktibhAvapUrvaka praNAma / kRpAnAtha! Apane merI cetAvanI ke prati dhyAna nahIM diyA, yaha mere lie atyanta du:kha kI bAta hai| mahAmaMtrI bhaTTamAtra ne buddhi kA khela khelA thA aura maiMne unako bodhapATha par3hAyA hai, yaha Apako jJAta ho gayA hogaa| maiM puna: Apase prArthanA karatA hUM ki Apa apane dvArA hue anyAya kI smRti kreN| Apane eka satI-sAdhvI nArI ke sAtha jo krUra vyavahAra kiyA hai, vaha akSamya aparAdha hai| Apako kyA daMDa diyA jAe? ApakA rakSAtaMtra kitanA durbala hai, yaha Apane mere kAryoM se jAna hI liyA hogaa| aba yadi Apa mujhe pakar3ane kA koI dUsarA upAya kareMge, yA svayaM Apa mujhe hastagata karane kA bIr3A uThAyeMge, to maiM ApakA sAmanA karane meM bhI kSobha kA anubhava nahIM kruuNgaa| aba maiM antima bAra Apako ATha dina kA samaya detA huuN| isa avadhi meM Apa apane anyAya kA prAyazcitta kA nirNaya kara leN| nauveM dina maiM jo ghaTita karUMgA, vaha atyanta bhayaMkara hogaa| Apa antarmana se AtmAlocanA kara apane anyAya ko yAda kareM, prAyazcitta kreN|' ApakA caraNakiMkara- 'sarvahara' vIra vikrama ne yaha patra tIna bAra par3hA / eka satI-sAdhvI nArI ke prati svayaM ne kabhI anyAya kiyA ho, yaha smRti-patha para A hI nahIM rahA thA...phira sarvahara bAra-bAra isa bAta ko kyoM doharAtA hai...maiMne kabhI kisI strI ko nahIM satAyA, phira anyAya kaisA? vIra vikrama atyanta cintAmagna ho ge| kamalA, kalA aura latAmaMjarI-tInoM rAniyAM khaMDa meM aayiiN| vikrama ne tInoM ko patra pddh'aayaa| kamalA rAnI bolI-'svAmInAtha! patra kI bhASA bahuta vinayayukta hai|' 'haaN|' 'Apane kyA vicAra kiyA hai?' 'mujhe hI isa cora kA sAmanA karanA pdd'egaa|' 'svAmInAtha! mujhe pratIta ho rahA hai ki sarvahara kI bAta meM kucha tathya avazya hai|' 'to kyA mere hAthoM kisI abalA ke prati anyAya huA hai?' vIra vikramAditya 381

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'hAM, saMbhava hai Apako usakI vismRti ho gaI ho ?' 'kamalA ! mujhe kucha bhI yAda nahIM hai|' 'prANanAtha! cora kI vANI meM viveka hI nahIM jhalakatA, usameM bhakti aura zraddhA kI bhI jhalaka hai| sarvahara ke sAtha saMgharSa karane meM badanAmI hogii| sarvahara sadA apanI cunautiyoM ko pUrA karatA A rahA hai| isa patra ke eka vAkya ne mere hRdaya ko jhakajhora ddaalaa| sarvahara likhatA hai ki Aja taka usane maryAdA aura bhakti kA pAlana kiyA hai| aba use kucha aura hI kadama uThAnA pdd'egaa|' kamalA ne kahA / vIra vikrama vicAroM meM kho gae / rAtri meM maMtraNA ke lie sabhI ekatrita hue| cora ko pakar3ane ke lie aneka upAya soce gae, kintu spaSTa nirNaya kiye binA maMtraNA pUrI ho gaI / dUsare dina rAjasabhA prArambha huii| Aja rAjasabhA kA mAhaula kucha vicitra isalie thA ki vIra vikrama apanI ora se kucha ghoSaNA karane vAle the| rAjasabhA khacAkhaca bharI thI / bAhara taka hajAroM kI bhIr3a lagI huI thii| cora kA AtaMka pratyeka nAgarika ke hRdaya ko tor3a cukA thaa| sabhI AtaMkita the| cora ko pakar3ane meM rAjataMtra sarvathA asaphala rahA, isalie janatA ke mana meM Akroza thaa| mahAmaMtrI, mahAbalAdhikRta, mahApratihAra Adi viziSTa adhikArI rAjasabhA ko sambodhita kara apanI-apanI vedanA ko spaSTa kara cuke the aura janatA ko Azvasta rahane kI preraNA de rahe the / anta meM vIra vikrama apane Asana se uThe aura bole- 'sarvahara ne mere para eka Aropa lagAyA hai ki maiMne eka satI-sAdhvI nArI ke prati anyAya kiyA hai, kintu bahuta yAda karane para bhI mujhe kucha smRti meM nahIM A rahA hai, isalie maiM isake sthAyI samAdhAna ke lie eka nirNaya kI ghoSaNA karanA cAhatA huuN| sarvahara coriyAM karatA hai, para vAstava meM cora nahIM hai, aisA spaSTa pratIta hotA hai| vaha mAtra anyAya ke prAyazcitta ke lie corI karatA hai| vaha bAra-bAra mujhe cetAvanI bhI de rahA hai| isalie Aja maiM prasanna hRdaya se yaha ghoSaNA karatA hUM ki Aja se sAtaveM dina taka sarvahara merI rAjasabhA meM upasthita hokara mujhe mere anyAya kI spaSTa anubhUti karAe / maiM usake sAre aparAdhoM ko mApha kara duuNgaa| yadi vAstava meM mere se anyAya huA hogA to maiM sarvahara ke dvArA nirdiSTa prAyazcitta svIkAra kruuNgaa|' vIra vikrama ke nirNaya se sabhI avAk raha ge| jaya-jayakAra ke sAtha rAjasabhA kA kArya sampanna huA / mahAmaMtrI bhaTTamAtra ke buddhi-cAturya para lAta mArane vAlA jayakumAra aura koI nahIM, devakumAra hI thA / vaha mahAmaMtrI ke ghara corI kara sIdhA vikramagar3ha calA gayA aura apanI mAtA ko svarNathAla aura nIlama kI mAlA dete hue usako surakSita rakhane ke lie khaa| phira usane mahAmaMtrI ko kaise pratAr3ita kiyA, yaha bAta mAM ko 382 vIra vikramAditya

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vistAra se btaaii| mAM ne sArI bAta sunakara kahA- 'deva! tumhArA yaha khela kaba taka calegA?' 'mAM! Apa cintA na kreN| maiM svayaM isako lambA karanA nahIM caahtaa| mujhe vizvAsa hai ki mahArAjA mere antima saMdeza para kucha uttama nirNaya leNge|' 'merI bhI yahI icchA hai, phira bhI hameM eka maryAdA nizcita karanI hogii| aise to yaha bhI eka saMgharSa hI hai aura saMgharSa meM kSatriya kaThora ho jAte haiN|' sukumArI ne khaa| 'to mAM! Apa AjJAdeM to maiM svayaM jAkara mahArAjA ko sArA vRttAnta sunA duuN| kintu maiM eka gauravapUrNa samAdhAna cAhatA huuN| isa samAdhAna meM merA gaurava gauNa hai, para merI mAM kA gaurava pradhAna hai| yaha eka mahArAnI ke svAbhimAna kA prazna hai|' sukumArI vicAroM meM phaMsa gii| devakumAra ne mAM kI goda meM sira rakhakara kahA'mAM! yadi Apako merA kArya ucita na lagatA ho to maiM Aja hI use chor3a duuN|' 'nahIM, beTA! tumhAre aise sAhasa kA maiM avamUlyana karanA nahIM caahtii| mujhe samajha meM nahIM A rahA hai ki isa khela kI samApti kaba hogii| saMsAra meM jaise bAlahaTha aura strIhaTha prasiddha haiM, vaise hI rAjahaTha bhI hai|' 'mAM! ApakI bAta sahI hai....aba maiM eka mahIne kI avadhi nirdhArita karatA huuN| yadi isa kAlAvadhi meM rAjarAjezvara nahIM samajha pAeMge to maiM Apako puna: pratiSThAnapura le jAnA pasanda karUMgA aura jAte samaya maiM corI kA sArA sAmAna rAjabhavana meM pahuMcA duuNgaa|' mAM prema se putra kA sira sahalAne lgii| mAM ke nayana sajala ho gae the| vaha bolI- 'deva! eka mahIne kI avadhi se maiM sahamata hUM, kintu strI ardhAMginI hotI hai| usake lie pati hI sarvasva hotA hai| pati ke samakSa gaurava aura svAbhimAna kA prazna hI nahIM utthtaa| eka mahIne ke bhItara yadi tumhArA kArya saphala na ho to tuma pratiSThAnapura cale jAnA / maiM apane svAmI ke pAsa calI jaauuNgii| mujhe dekhate hI ve pahacAna leNge|' devakumAra sira uThAkara bolA- 'mAM...!' 'deva! tumheM Aja taka mAM ke hRdaya kA hI paricaya milA hai, eka Arya nArI ke hRdaya kA paricaya nahIM huA hai| tuma cintA mata karanA / merA mana bolatA hai ki tumhArA zrama niSphala nahIM hogaa| mAM ne bhAvabhare svaroM meM khaa| devakumAra mAM ke tejomaya mukha kI ora dekhatA rhaa| donoM nahIM jAnate the ki vIra vikrama ne saMgharSa ko TAlane ke lie rAjasabhA meM aisI ghoSaNA kI hai jo vIra, dhIra aura paraduHkhabhaMjana vyakti ke yogya hai| vIra vikramAditya 383

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mAM ke pAsa do dina Thaharakara devakumAra sAmAnya veza meM avaMtI nagarI meM A phuNcaa| vahAM jana-jana ke muMha se usane sunA ki vikramAditya mahArAja ne yaha ghoSaNA kI hai ki sAta dina ke bhItara-bhItara sarvahara mujhase mile aura merI bhUla btaae| phira vaha jaisA cAhegA, vaisA prAyazcitta kruuNgaa|' devakumAra mana-hI-mana prasanna huaa| rAtri kA pahalA prahara pUrA ho, usase pUrva hI devakumAra vikramagar3ha A pahuMcA aura sIdhA mAM ke kakSa meM gyaa| sukumArI navakAra mahAmaMtra kA jApa kara rahI thii| eka choTA-sA dIpaka TimaTimA rahA thaa| usake madhura-maMda prakAza meM mAtA kI prazAMta mUrti bahuta bhavya aura sundara laga rahI thii| mAM ko jApa karate dekha devakumAra kucha rukaa| itane meM hI mAM ne jApa pUrA kara devakumAra kI ora dekhaa| devakumAra tatkAla mAM ke pAsa Akara bolA- 'mAM! ApakI sAdhanA saphala ho gyii| kala mere mahAn pitA ne rAjasabhA meM nRpocita eka udAra ghoSaNA kI hai| saMgharSa kA aMta A gayA, mAM!' kahakara devakumAra choTe bacce kI bhAMti mAM se cipaTa gyaa| mAM bolI- 'are, batAo to sahI, kyA ghaTita huA hai?' devakumAra ne logoM se sunI sArI bAta mAM ko btaaii| mAM kA ceharA khila utthaa| mAMne kahA-'beTA! jaba tuma rAjasabhA meM sArA bheda khologe, to kyA tumhAre pitAzrI lajjita nahIM hoMge?' 'nahIM, mAM! mujhe to unakI AjJA kA sammAna karanA hai| yadi Apako ucita lagatA ho to maiM unako eka saMdeza bhejuuN|' 'nahIM, isase to acchA hai ki tuma eka bAra apane pitAzrI se svayaM mila Ao aura jaisA ve kaheM vaisA kro|' 'mAM! isase to yaha ucita hai ki maiM unase rAjasabhA meM hI miluuN| isase pitAzrI kI mahAnatA bhI dIpta hogii|' isa prakAra bAteM karate-karate rAtri kA dUsarA prahara pUrA hone lgaa| devakumAra apanI zayyA para jA so gyaa| sukumArI bhI zayyA para jA so gii| kintu Aja nIMda Ane kA prazna hI nahIM thaa| priyatama kA madhura smaraNa usake hRdaya ko gudagudAne lgaa| usane socA, mere meM puruSadveSa kitanA bhayaMkara thA? mujhe sanmArga para lAne vAle mere priyatama kA sahavAsa kitanA madhura thaa| yadi ye apanA paricaya usI samaya de dete to mujhe itanA dIrgha viyoga sahanA nahIM pdd'taa| kintu isameM inakA kyA doSa? merA prArabdha hI aisA thaa| karmarAjA ne mujhe viyoga kI jvAlA meM jalane ke lie vivaza kiyA aura maiM solaha varSoM taka usameM tila-tila kara jalatI rhii| aba usa kAlarAtri kA aMta 384 vIra vikramAditya

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A rahA hai| merA aura devakumAra kA bhAgyodaya hone vAlA hai| putra ko pitA mileMge aura mujhe mere priyatama / maiM dhanya ho jaauuNgii| ina vicAroM meM unmajjana- nimajjana karatI huI sukumArI aMtima prahara meM nidrAdhIna ho gaI / devakumAra bhI aneka vicAroM meM viharaNa karatA huA rAtri kI antima ghar3iyoM meM nidrAdevI kI goda meM jA baiThA / vIra vikrama kI ghoSaNA ke pAMca dina pUre ho ge| do dina pUrva hI vIra vikrama dvArA sukumArI ko sauMpI huI peTI tathA rAjavaMzI vastrAlaMkAra Adi lekara sarvahara avaMtI kI ora vidA huaa| apane nivAsasthAna para pahuMcakara usane tAr3apatra para eka saMdeza likhA aura use bAMsa kI nalikA meM rakha eka kizora bAlaka ke sAtha rAjabhavana meM bheja diyaa| vIra vikrama sarvahara ke saMdeza kI pratIkSA kara rahe the| pAMca dina taka saMdeza prApta na hone para ve cintita ho ge| kamalAvatI bAra-bAra kahatI rahI ki sarvahara kA saMdeza avazya aaegaa| itanA hI nahIM, vaha sAtaveM dina rAjasabhA meM bhI upasthita rhegaa| pAMcave dina rAjasabhA kA kArya sampanna kara mahArAjA vikramAditya apanI paTTamahiSI ke sAtha rAjabhavana meM lauTe taba eka rakSaka ne praNAma kara kahA - 'kRpAnAtha kI jaya ho| eka aparicita kizora ne yaha bAMsa kI nalikA dI hai|' 'kahAM hai vaha kizora ?' 'usako rokA thA, para vaha rone lgaa| vaha sarvathA aparicita thaa| kisI ne use eka svarNamudrA dI aura vaha yaha nalikA lekara yahAM A gyaa|' vikrama vaha nalikA lekara madhya khaNDa meM jAkara baiTha ge| usa samaya kalA, lakSmI aura kamalA- tInoM rAniyAM vahAM pahuMca gaI thIM / vIra vikrama ne usa nalikA se tAr3apatra nikAlA aura usako par3hanA prArambha kiyaa| usameM likhA thA - 'parama pUjya prAta:smaraNIya udAracitta rAjarAjezvara mahArAjA vIra vikramAditya ke pAdapaMkaja meM dAsAnudAsa sarvahara kA sASTAMga praNAma / Apane rAjasabhA meM jo ghoSaNA kI thI usakA uttara dene meM vilamba huA, kyoMki maiM avaMtI meM nahIM thaa| ApakI ghoSaNA ko maiM AzIrvAda ke rUpa meM svIkAra karatA huuN| corI karanA merA vyavasAya nahIM hai| maiM isa corI ke mAdhyama se Apako kucha smRta karAnA cAhatA thA, para Apako kucha bhI yAda nahIM aayaa| eka bAta maiM spaSTa kara denA cAhatA hUM ki maiMne jo kucha vIra vikramAditya 385

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curAyA hai vaha sArA mAla mere pAsa surakSita hai| vaha sArA mAla rAjabhavana meM bheja dUMgA, jisase ki vaha mUla svAmI ko prApta ho ske| maiM nirdhArita sAtaveM dina rAjasabhA meM AUMgA aura Apane eka satI-sAdhvI nArI ke sAtha jo anyAya kiyA hai, usakA pramANa bhI sAtha laauuNgaa| phira kyA karanA hai aura kyA nahIM karanA hai, yaha Apa para nirbhara hogaa| mujhe prAyazcitta dene kA adhikAra nahIM hai| isakI spaSTatA rAjasabhA meM ho jaaegii| usI dina eka satI nArI ke AMsU sUkheMge aura mukha kamala kI bhAMti khila utthegaa| mujhe Apake darzanoM kA lAbha milegA aura sAthahI-sAtha merA kartavya bhI pUrA ho jAegA-ApakA sarvahara!' saMdeza sunakara tInoM rAniyoM kA ceharA khila utthaa| vIra vikrama bhI prasannatA se jhUma utthe| kamalA rAnI ne kahA- 'svAmI! sarvahara kauna hogA, yaha kalpanA karanA bhI duSkara hai| kintu usake hRdaya meM Apake prati atyanta Adara hai, yaha isa saMdeza se spaSTa hai|' ___'usakI bhASA bhI saMskArita hai| isase pUrva ke patroM meM vaha cunautiyAM detA thA, phira bhI bhASA meM namratA thii| priye! merI smRti ko ThIka karane ke lie sarvahara ne coriyAM kI haiN| kintu sabase bar3A Azcarya to yaha hai ki mere hAtha se kabhI satI strI kA apamAna yA anyAya nahIM huA, phira bhI vaha bAra-bAra usI bAta ko doharAtA hai| vikrama ne muskarAte hue khaa|| 'svAmInAtha! kabhI-kabhI choTI-choTI bAtoM kI bhI vismRti ho jAtI hai| aba vaha nirdhArita dina sAmane Ane hI vAlA hai| usa dina sArI spaSTatA ho jaaegii|' sArI nagarI meM sarvahara ke prakaTa hone kI bAta phaila gii| sabhI ke hRdaya utkaMThita ho rahe the sarvahara ko dekhane ke lie| sabhI usa dina kI AturatA se pratIkSA kara rahe the| vIra vikrama ne vizAla maMDapa taiyAra krvaayaa| sarvahara-rUpI devakumAra nizciMta hokara apane nivAsasthAna para ArAma kara rahA thaa| capalasenA bhI sarvahara ko dekhane ke lie Atura ho rahI thii| jayasena ke cale jAne para usakA jIvana hI nIrasa ho gayA thaa| 70. ullAsa Aja svarNima sUrya udita huaa| avaMtI nagarI ke nAgarika apane-apane samavayaskoM kI TolI banAkara rAjabhavana meM navanirmita maMDapa kI ora Ane lge| 386 vIra vikramAditya

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sabhI rAjyAdhikArI bhI apane-apane Avazyaka kAryoM se nivRtta hokara apane vAhanoM se bhavana se vidA hue| rAjasabhA ke maMDapa meM sabake baiThane ke lie alaga-alaga sthAna nirdhArita the| saba apane-apane sthAna para baiThane lge| mahAbalAdhikRta, mahApratihAra, mahAmaMtrI, anya maMtriyoM tathA anyAnya rAjAoM ke sAtha rAjakumAra Adi bhI Ae aura yathAsthAna baiThane lge| capalasenA bhI A gii| usake sAtha anya tIna gaNikAeM bhI aayiiN| rAjaparivAra ke sadasya Ane lge| vIra vikramAditya kI sabhI rAniyAM A giiN| ekamAtra paTTamahiSI aura mahArAja Ane zeSa the| jina-jina gRhasthoM ke gharoM meM sarvahara ne corI kI thI, ve saba vahAM upasthita ho ge| pratyeka nara-nArI kA mana jijJAsA se bhara gayA thaa| sabhI meM sarvahara ko dekhane kI utAvalI thii| ___ adhikArI varga meM eka saMzaya ubhara rahA thA ki saMbhava hai cora sarvahara ne mahArAja ke sAtha majAka kiyA ho| vaha Ae yA na aae| isa prakAra eka ora AturatA aura dUsarI ora zaMkA-kuzaMkA kA khulA nRtya ho rahA thaa| sabhAmaMDapa meM baiThe hue sabhI loga bAra-bAra sAmane dekha lete the-are! vaha to sarvahara nahIM hai ? sarvahara kaisA hogA? vaha lambA hogA yA ThiganA? kAlA hogA yA gorA? isa prakAra ke prazna logoM ke hRdaya meM ubhara rahe the| niyata samaya para mahArAja aura kamalArAnI rAjabhavana se paidala calakara maMDapa kI ora aae| unhoMne dekhA, hajAroM nAgarika bAhara khar3e the| sArA upavana janasaMkula ho rahA thaa| mahAdevI aura mahArAja ko dekhakara logoM ne harSanAda kiyaa| vIra vikrama aura kamalArAnI-donoM logoM kA abhivAdana svIkAra karate hue maMDapa ke dvAra taka phuNce| ve bhItara praveza kareM, usase pUrva hI eka pAlakI dvAra ke pAsa Akara rukI aura usameM se eka tejasvI rAjakumAra bAhara niklaa| devakumAra mahArAja ke pIche-pIche sabhAmaMDapa meM praviSTa hue| dvArarakSaka bhI rAjakumAra ko dekhakara kucha nahIM bole| unheM aisA hI pratIta huA ki yaha taruNa yuvaka rAjarAjezvara kA hI koI atithi hai| ___ mahArAja paTTamahiSI ke sAtha siMhAsana kI ora bddh'e| devakumAra agalI paMkti meM nagaraseTha ke pAsa baiTha gyaa| vIra vikramAditya 387

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mahArAja vikramAditya paMcadaMDa chatra aura battIsa putaliyoM vAle siMhAsana para kamalArAnI ke sAtha virAjamAna ho ge| sArA sabhAmaMDapa gUMja utthaa| rAjapurohita ne svastivAcana kiyaa| cAraNoM ne vIra vikrama kA yazogAna kiyaa| mahAdaMDaka ne mahAsabhA kA kAryakrama prastuta kiyaa| phira mahAmaMtrI ne khar3e ho, siMhAsana kI ora Age Akara kahA-'mahAnubhAvo! Aja Apa yahAM vizeSa samAdhAna pAne ke lie ekatrita hue haiN| hameM yaha AzA nahIM thI ki isa Ayojana meM janatA itanA rasa legii| Aja janamedinI ko dekhakara yaha sahaja hI anumAna ho jAtA hai ki janatA usa sarvahara cora ko dekhane ke lie umar3a par3I hai| maiM sarvahara se kahanA cAhatA hUM ki vaha janatA ke sammukha prakaTa ho aura janatA ke mana ko zAnta kre|' itanA kahakara mahAmaMtrI nIce apane Asana para baiTha ge| devakumAra mauna baiThA thaa| usakA rAjaveza atyanta bhavya thaa| usakI sundara deha-latA vividha alaMkAroM se dedIpyamAna ho rahI thii| usakA saumya vadana aura tejasvI AMkheM atyanta prabhAvazAlI thiiN| abhI usake mukha para bAlaka kI-sI sahajatA aura saralatA thii| mahAmaMtrI kI prArthanA ke pazcAt loga cAroM ora dekhane lge| sarvahara abhI AegA, abhI prakaTa hogA, kintu sarvahara zAMti se baiThA rhaa| sabhAjanoM kA dhairya TUTa rahA thaa| ve sarvahara ko dekhanA cAhate the| unake mana meM bahuvidha kalpanAeM ubhara rahI thiiN| vIra vikrama siMhAsana se uThe aura pracaMDa svara meM bole- 'mere priya prajAjanA! Apa saba zAMta rheN| maiM sarvahara se kahanA cAhatA hUM ki vaha nirbhayatApUrvaka mere samakSa aae| vaha kisI bhI prakAra kA bhaya na rkhe| kSatriya apane vacanoM kA mUlya prANoM se adhika samajhatA hai|' itanA kahakara vikrama apane siMhAsana para baiTha ge| usI kSaNa devakumAra apane sthAna se uThA aura rAjasiMhAsana ke maMca kI ora Age bar3hane lgaa| __yaha dekhate hI janatA romAMcita hote hue socane lagI-kyA yaha sarvahara hogA? nahIM, yaha to koI rAjakumAra pratIta hotA hai| sarvahara to tIsa-tIsa varSa kA khilAr3I hai aura yaha pandraha-satraha varSa kA kizora hai| yaha kauna hogA? mahAmaMtrI usa naujavAna ko sUkSma dRSTi se dekhane lge| kyA yahI mahAbalAdhikRta kA putra hai ? nahIM, usake kAna ke pAsa eka kAlA tila thaa| devakumAra ke hAtha meM kauzeya vastra meM lipaTI huI eka peTikA thii| vaha kisI kI ora dRSTi-vikSepa na karatA huA sIdhA siMhAsana vAle maMca kI ora Age bar3ha 388 vIra vikramAditya

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gyaa| sabhI paurajana isa navayuvaka ko Azcaryacakita dRSTi se dekhane lge| jaise Azcarya ananta thA, vaise hI zAMti bhI ajaba thii| kisI bhI prakAra kA kolAhala nahIM thaa| sabakA hRdaya yaha jAnane ke lie Atura thA ki yaha kauna hogA? rAja-parivAra kI striyAM eka ora baiThI thiiN| ve saba isa taruNa ko sthira dRSTi se dekha rahI thiiN| sarvahara-rUpI devakumAra maMca para car3hA aura eka tarapha vinamra bhAva se khar3A ho gyaa| phira mahArAjA ko tIna bAra praNAma kara vinamra svaroM meM bolA-'kRpAnAtha! ApakA dAsAnudAsa sarvahara Apake samakSa upasthita hai|' 'kahAM hai? vaha svayaM yahAM aae|' mahAmaMtrI ne khaa| 'maMtrIzvarajI! Apa mujhe itane kama samaya meM hI bhUla ge| usa dina maiM hI Apake bhavana para AyA thaa| maiM hI sarvahara huuN|' sArI sabhA avAka raha gii| gaNikA capalasenA kI AMkheM sarvahara para Tika giiN| usane socA-are! yaha to jayasena hai, jo mere sAtha ATha dina taka rhaa| oha ! jysen....srvhr....| mahArAja vikramAditya bole-'tujhe dekhakara merA citta atyanta prasanna hai| tere vadana para unnata bhAva ubhara rahe haiN| tU itanI bhayaMkara coriyAM kare, aisA mAnane meM mana sAkSI nahIM detaa| isalie yaha prazna uThatA hai ki tU svayaM sarvahara hai yA tU sarvahara kA dUta hai?' sarvahara puna: mastaka jhukAkara prasanna svara meM bolA-'mahArAja! maiM svayaM sarvahara huuN| corI, juA, parastrIgamana, mAMsAhAra, madyapAna Adi ko maiM bhayaMkara dUSaNa mAnatA huuN| phira bhI maiMne Apako vismRta kI smRti karAne ke lie itanI coriyAM kiiN| kintu maiMne Apako vizvAsa dilAyA thA ki corI kA sArA mAla mere pAsa surakSita hai aura vaha usake mUla svAmI ko mila jaaegaa|' sArI sabhA sarvahara kI bAta sunakara avAk raha gii| zAMti aura adhika gaharI ho gii| mahArAja vikramAditya ne sarvahara kI ora dekhakara kahA- 'sarvahara, tUne mujhe eka satI nArI ke prati anyAya hone kI bAta bAra-bAra kahI thii| kintu mere hAtha se aisA koI anyAya huA ho, aisA mujhe yAda nahIM hai|' 'kRpAnAtha! aisI virAT rAjasabhA ke samakSa maiM yaha rahasya prakaTa karUM, yaha mujhe ucita nahIM lgtaa| Apa AjJA deM to maiM rAjabhavana meM ekAnta meM sArI bAta btaauuN|' vIra vikramAditya 386

Page #397
'nahIM, sarvahara! tU sArI bAta janatA ke samakSa prakaTa kara / merA jIvana khulI pothI jaisA hai| maiM yadi apane anyAya kI bAta ekAnta meM sunUM to yaha janatA kA apamAna hogaa| tU ni:saMkoca bhAva se sArI bAta btaa|' do kSaNa mauna rahakara sarvahara bolA-'kRpAvatAra! yadi kevala pramANa prastuta karUM to....?' 'nahIM, tujhe sArI bAta batAnI hogii|' 'to Apa suneM-dakSiNa bhArata meM eka samRddha aura sundara rAjya hai| usakI rAjadhAnI kA nAma hai pratiSThAnapura / usa rAjya ke rAjA haiM zAlivAhana / ve atyanta dharmiSTha aura prajAvatsala haiN| unake eka putrI thii| usakA nAma thA sukumaarii| vaha puruSoM ke prati dveSa rakhatI thI.....' sukumArI kA nAma sunate hI vIra vikrama cauMke / kamalAvatI aura bhaTTamAtra bhI Azcaryacakita ho ge| devakumAra bolA- 'eka bAra vijayasiMha nAma kA eka saMgItajJa vahAM aayaa| usane eka vicitra prakAra ke svayaMvara meM bhAga lekara rAjakanyA para vijaya prApta kii| sukumArI kA vivAha usa saMgItajJa ke sAtha ho gyaa| rAjakanyA kA puruSa-dveSa samApta ho gayA aura usake mana meM pati ke prati anurAga ubhara aayaa| kucha samaya taka donoM sAtha rhe| sukumArI garbhavatI huI aura saMgItajJa vijayasiMha kisI saMgIta pariSad meM sammilita hone ke lie calA gyaa| usa vRttAnta ko Aja satraha varSa ho gae haiN| vijayasiMha lauTakara nahIM aayaa| mahArAjA zAlivAhana ne cAroM ora khoja karAI, para usakA atA-patA nahIM milaa| devI sukumArI ke du:kha kA pAra nahIM rhaa| ve svAmI ke cale jAne ke pazcAt tatkAla rAjabhavana meM rahane calI giiN| bhAgyavaza unheM putraratna kI prApti huii|' 'putraratna.....?' vikrama ne Azcarya ke sAtha khaa| 'hAM, kRpAvatAra! devI sukumArI apane putra kA pAlana-poSaNa karane lgii| kintu unake hRdaya meM pati kI cintA sadA eka citA kI bhAMti dhadhakatI rahatI thii| unakA putra jaba solaha varSa kA huA, taba nagarI ke bAhara vAle bhavana meM eka peTI ko surakSita rakhe rahane kI bAta sukumArI ko yAda AyI....' 'oha sarvahara ! mere hAthoM eka satI-sAdhvI nArI ke prati bhayAnaka anyAya ho gyaa| vaha devI aba kahAM hai ? usakA putra kahAM hai? mujhe pramANa kI koI AvazyakatA nahIM hai| vismRti kI caTTAna kitanI kaThora hotI hai?' 'kRpAnAtha! ApakI vaha satI-sAdhvI patnI yahIM AI huI hai aura maiM hUM ApakA maMdabhAgya putra devkumaar|' kahakara sarvahara ne mastaka nmaayaa| 360 vIra vikramAditya

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rAjA vIra vikrama tatkAla siMhAsana se nIce utare aura devakumAra ko chAtI se lagAte hue gadgada ho ge| unake anta:karaNa meM putra-prema kA sAgara hiloreM lene lgaa| sabhI sabhAsad jayanAda aura harSanAda karane lge| vIra vikrama ne putra devakumAra kA mastaka bAra-bAra cuumaa| vikrama ke itanI patniyAM thIM, para kisI ke aba taka putra prApta nahIM huA thaa| ____ mahAmaMtrI ne khar3e hokara devakumAra ko AzIrvAda diyaa| mahAbalAdhikRta bhI harSAveza meM A ge| sArA vAtAvaraNa badala gyaa| thor3e samaya pazcAt sarvahararUpI devakumAra ne kahA- 'mere pitAzrI pramANa dekhanA nahIM cAhate, para merA karttavya hai ki maiM pramANa prastuta karUM; anyathA kisI ke mana meM yaha zaMkA ho sakatI hai ki eka cora vIra vikrama kA putra kaise ho sakatA hai?' yaha kahakara devakumAra ne kauzeya vastra meM lipaTI huI peTikA vIra vikrama ke hAtha meM sauMpa dii| phira devakumAra ke pAsa meM khar3I paTTarAnI kamalAvatI ke caraNoM meM namaskAra kiyaa| devI kamalAvatI ne devakumAra ko uThAkara usakA mastaka bAra-bAra cuumaa| mahArAjA vikramAditya ne peTikA kholI aura usameM rakhI huI rAjamudrikA, apane hastAkSara vAlA paricaya-patra aura kamalAvatI dvArA preSita ratnahAra bAhara nikaalaa| sArI janatA ullAsamayI ho gii| sArI zaMkAeM nirmUla ho giiN| vIra vikrama ne devakumAra ko saMbodhita kara kahA- 'deva! tumhArI mAM kahAM hai?' 'pitAzrI! mAtAjI vikramagar3ha meM haiN|' vIra vikrama ne tatkAla mahAmaMtrI kI ora dekhakara kahA-'mahAmaMtrI! avaMtI nagarI meM ATha dinoM taka utsava manAne kI ghoSaNA karA do aura dAna dene kI bhI sucArU vyavasthA kara do| mahAdevI sukumArI ke svAgata kI taiyArI karo....maiM rAjaparivAra ke sAtha vikramagar3ha jA rahA huuN| madhyAhna ke pazcAt hama lauTa aaeNge| usa samaya Apa saba apanI rAjalakSmI ke svAgata ke lie taiyAra rheN|' rAjasabhA kI kAryavAhI sampanna huii| kucha hI samaya meM yaha sukhada samAcAra sArI nagarI meM phaila gyaa| Ananda, ullAsa aura umaMga kI lahareM daur3a pdd'iiN| eka ghaTikA pazcAt vIra vikrama rAjabhavana se vikramagar3ha kI ora vidA hue| mahArAja vikrama, sarvahara, kamalArAnI aura kalAvatI eka ratha meM baitthe| dUsare ratha meM anya rAniyAM aura vRddha mahilAeM thiiN| vIra vikramAditya 361

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vikrama ke ikyAvana rAniyAM thIM, para kisI se putraratna kI prApti nahIM huI thii| eka bhI putra na hone ke kAraNa janatA kA mana bhI udvigna thA / Aja yaha du:kha Ananda meM badala gayA thA / loga bhI atyanta utsAhita the / ve bhinna-bhinna ToliyAM banAkara vikramagar3ha kI ora cala pdd'e| abhI dina kA dUsarA prahara cala rahA thaa| 71. vikramacaritra kucha milana smRti meM aMkita ho jAte haiN| kucha milana harSa ke AMsuoM ke puSpoM se samRddha banate haiM aura kucha milana jIvana ke lie abhizApa siddha hote haiN| vIra vikrama apane dala-bala sahita vikramagar3ha pahuMca ge| apane nagara meM svayaM mahArAja padhAre haiM, yaha samAcAra sunakara vikramagar3ha kI janatA atyanta harSita ho gaI / devakumAra ke kahane para sabhI ratha eka sthAna para khar3e kara die gae aura loga vIra vikrama kA jaya-jayakAra karane lage / bhojana se nivRtta hokara sukumArI zayyA para karavaTeM badala rahI thI..... Aja kI rAjasabhA meM kyA huA hogA, yaha prazna usake hRdaya ko kacoTa rahA thaa| usI samaya jayanAda kA kolAhala usake kAnoM se ttkraayaa| vaha utthii| usa samaya vIra vikrama Adi sabhI apane-apane ratha se nIce utara rahe the| devakumAra sabake Age cala rahA thaa| eka sevaka ne makAna kA dvAra kholaa| eka dAsI daur3atI huI sukumArI ke pAsa jAkara bolI- 'devI ! bhAI ke sAtha mAlava ke svAmI padhAre haiN| unake sAtha aneka striyAM aura puruSa haiN|' sukumArI kA hRdaya nAca utthaa| usakI vezabhUSA atyanta sAdagIpUrNa thii| vaha kucha nirNaya kare usase pUrva hI devakumAra daur3akara mAM ke pAsa Akara bolA'mAM! ApakA svAgata karane ke lie svayaM pitAzrI apane parivAra ke sAtha Ae haiM / ' vikrama barAmade meM A pahuMce / devakumAra kakSa se bAhara nikalakara bolA'pitAzrI ! yahAM padhAreM / merI mAM yahI haiN|' solaha varSa ke dIrgha viyoga ke pazcAt Aja patnI se milana ho rahA thaa| vIra vikrama ke hRdaya meM umaMga ke sAtha-sAtha vismRti ke bAdala ke pIche chipe hue madhura saMsmaraNa eka-eka kara ubharane lage / 362 vIra vikramAditya

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vIra vikrama khaMDa meM paira rakheM, usase pUrva hI sabhI rAniyAM khaMDa meM praveza kara giiN| sAde vastroM meM saumyagaMdhA ke phUloM kI taraha suzobhita sukumArI ko dekhakara sabhI rAniyAM avAk raha gaIM / usI samaya vIra vikrama ne apane putra ke sAtha kakSa meM praveza kiyaa| sukumArI ne svAmI kI ora dekhA / vIra vikrama sukumArI kI ora dekhane lge| vahI rUpa ! vahI teja ! vahI lAvaNya ! vahI madhurimA ! para svayaM ne isa priyatamA para kitanA bhayaMkara anyAya kara DAlA / sukumArI Age AyI aura priyatama ke caraNoM meM jhuka gii| vIra vikrama ne donoM hAthoM se priyatamA ko uThAte hue kahA- 'priye ! sabase pahale tuma mujhe kSamAdAna do| tumhAre prati maiMne itanA bhayaMkara aparAdha kiyA hai ki kSamA mAMgane kA adhikAra bhI maiM kho baiThA huuN|' 'svAmI.....' sukumArI vizeSa kucha nahIM bola paayii| usake nayana harSa se sajala ho gae the / vikrama ne saMkoca ko tilAMjali dekara sabake samakSa sukumArI ko hRdaya se lagA liyA aura kahA- -'tumhArI sArI bahaneM tumhArA svAgata karane mere sAtha AyI zIghra hI avaMtI nagarI meM pahuMcanA hai|' phira kamalArAnI kI ora mur3akara vikrama bolA- 'kamalA ! maiM devakumAra ko lekara bAhara jA rahA huuN| janatA jayanAda kara rahI hai| unake samakSa maiM yuvarAja kA paricaya de duuN| taba taka tuma prasthAna kI taiyArI karo / ' vIra vikrama devakumAra ke sAtha kakSa se bAhara A ge| vIra vikrama kI paTTarAnI kamalAvatI thii| usane sabhI rAniyoM kA paricaya kraayaa| sabhI rAniyoM ne sukumArI kA caraNasparza kiyA / vikramagar3ha se sabhI ne prasthAna kiyaa| usa samaya madhyAhna bIta cukA thaa| jaba ve saba avaMtI pahuMce taba saMdhyA Dhala cukI thii| hajAroM paurajana pratIkSA meM baiThe the / vIra vikrama ne devakumAra ko eka susajjita aura alaMkRta hAthI para biThAyA aura svayaM eka khule ratha meM sukumArI ke sAtha baitthe| rAtri ke dUsare prahara ke pazcAt zobhAyAtrA rAjabhavana meM phuNcii| devakumAra kA zayanagRha vIra vikrama ke kakSa ke nikaTa hI rakhA gayA thaa| devI sukumArI kI zayana-vyavasthA mukhya bhavana meM kI gaI thii| usa bhavana meM vIra vikrama adhikAMza samaya bitAte the aura vahIM anya tIna rAniyAM bhI rahatI thiiN| vIra vikramAditya 363

Page #401
rAtri ke tIsare prahara meM vIra vikrama rAnI sukumArI ke zayanakakSa meM ge| solaha varSoM ke pazcAt yaha prathama milana-yAminI thii| vIra vikrama aura sukumArI ke hRdaya meM aneka bAteM ubhara rahI thiiN| donoM eka Asana para baiThe aura solaha varSoM meM ghaTita ghaTanAoM ko sunAne lge| jaise navapariNita yugala kI bAtoM kA anta nahIM AtA, usI prakAra ve donoM bAteM karate hue ananta meM kho gae aura taba vAdyamaMDalI ke prAta:saMgIta ke svara unake kAnoM se ttkraae| sUryodaya huaa| devakumAra ne nagararakSaka ko bhejakara corI kA sArA mAla maMgAkara mUla svAmiyoM ko sauMpa diyaa| vikramagar3ha se anyAnya sAmAna ke sAtha mahAmaMtrI bhaTTamAtra kA svarNathAla aura ratnAhAra bhI A ge| devakumAra ne pitAjI kI upasthiti meM mahAmaMtrI ke caraNasparza kara donoM vastueM unheM sauMpate hue kahA- 'maMtrIzvara, Apako vyathita karane ke lie maiM kSamAprArthI huuN|' mahAmaMtrI ne ullAsapUrvaka yuvarAja ko AzIrvAda diyaa| dina Ananda meM bItane lge| mAgha zuklA paMcamI kA din| devakumAra ko yuvarAja pada dene ke lie rAjasabhA judd'ii| isa zubha prasaMga para rAjaparivAra ke sabhI sadasya, mAMDalika rAjA aura anya rAjA bhI apane-apane dala-bala sahita avaMtI meM A ge| rAjasabhA kA maMDapa khacAkhaca bhara gyaa| rAjapurohita ne maMtrocArapUrvaka vIra vikrama ke ekAkI putra devakumAra ko yuvarAja-pada para abhiSikta kiyaa| mahAmaMtrI ne sukumArI ke milana se lekara vikramagar3ha meM Ane tathA buddhibala se sabhI ko cauMkA dene vAle devakumAra ke vRttAnta se sabhI sadasyoM ko avagata kraayaa| ___ mahAmaMtrI kI bAta sunakara sabhA meM upasthita eka cAraNa kavi kA hRdaya jhanajhanA utthaa| vaha bolA-'mAlavapati kI jaya ho! yuvarAja kI jaya ho ! yuvarAja ke sAhasika kAryoM kI vigata sunakara merA hRdaya nAca rahA hai| Aja taka strI-caritra ajor3a aura adbhuta mAnA jAtA rahA hai| kintu capalasenA jaisI buddhimatI gaNikA ko mAta kara devakumAra ne strI-caritra ko miTTI meM milA DAlA hai| merA mana kahatA hai ki Aja ye yuvarAjazrI vikramacaritra ke nAma se jAne jAeM to acchA hai| strIcaritra ko pAtAla meM pahuMcA dene vAle vikramacaritra kI jaya ho!' 364 vIra vikramAditya

Page #402
mahArAjA vikrama ne isa ghoSaNA para sahamati dI / samagra sabhA ne vikramacaritra kA jayanAda kiyA / aura janatA ke muMha para devakumAra kA nAma vikramacaritra krIr3A karane lagA / dina bIte / mahIne bIte aura dekhate-dekhate cAra varSa bIta ge| devakumAra vikramacaritra ke nAma se prasiddha ho gae aura jaba ve bIsa varSa ke hue taba rAjakArya meM atyanta nipuNa ho ge| eka dina apane niyama ke anusAra vIra vikrama rAtri meM nagaracarcA ke lie nikala pdd'e| avaMtI nagarI meM sudaMta nAma kA karor3apati seTha rahatA thA / vIra vikrama nagaracarcA sunate-sunate seTha ke bhavana ke pAsa aae| usa samaya sudaMta seTha ke upavana meM usakI ekAkI putrI manamohinI apanI sakhiyoM ke sAtha vinodabharI carcA kara rahI thI / sundara SoDazI kanyA bAtoM meM mazagUla ho rahI thI / bAtoM hI bAtoM meM eka sakhI bolI- 'manamohinI ! apane mahArAja ne nagarI meM jo ghoSaNA karAI hai, kyA tumane use sunA hai ?' 'kaisI ghoSaNA ?' 'strIcaritra se bhI vikramacaritra zreSTha hai, isa viSaya kI ghoSaNA / ' 'hamAre mahArAjA adhika saMvedanazIla haiN| devakumAra ne kevala eka capalasenA ko hI to parAjita kiyA hai, usameM vikramacaritra kI kyA mahattA hai ? saMsAra meM strIcaritra kA pAra bhagavAna bhI nahIM pA skte| mahArAjA to saMvedanazIla aura udAra haiM, isalie unhoMne mana kI bAta isa prakAra pracArita kI hai| aise to strIcaritra bejor3a aura ajeya thA, hai aura rahegA / ' 'are, yaha tuma kyA kaha rahI ho, manamohinI ?' 'maiM saca kahatI hUM / strI kevala rUpavatI hI nahIM hotI, vaha apane buddhibala aura kaTAkSa se bar3oM-bar3oM ke chakke chur3A detI hai| maiM to vikrama kI ghoSaNA ko kevala mUrkhatA hI mAnatI huuN|' eka ora chipakara khar3e vikrama ne yaha sArI bAta sunii| unakA kalejA kAMpa uThA - are, eka SoDazI vaNik kanyA merI bAta ko mUrkhatApUrNa batAtI hai ? vIra vikrama mana para lage isa Akasmika prahAra ko sahalAte hue Age bar3ha gae / manamohinI apanI sakhiyoM ke sAtha svAbhAvika rUpa se bAteM kara rahI thiiN| parantu vikramAditya ko yaha bAta cubha gii| unake mana meM yaha jijJAsA jAga uThI ki unakA mAnanA mUrkhatApUrNa kyoM hai ? vIra vikramAditya 365

Page #403
ve vahAM se Age cale aura yaha bhavana seTha sudaMta kA hai, yaha nizcaya kara sIdhe rAjabhavana meM A ge| zayyA para sone ke pazcAt bhI ve vicAroM se mukta nahIM ho ske| anta meM unhoMne mana-hI-mana yaha nirNaya kara liyA ki sudaMta seTha aura usakI kanyA ko rAjabhavana meM bulAnA aura..... dUsare dina kI saMdhyA pUrI huii| vIra vikrama apanI kucheka rAniyoM ko sAtha lekara rAjabhavana ke udyAna meM ge| vahAM mahApratihAra ajaya ko bulAkara vIra vikrama ne kahA- 'sudaMta seTha ke bhavana para jAo aura seTha tathA unakI kanyA ko yahAM bulA laao|' ___mahApratihAra tatkAla ratha lekara sudaMta seTha ke bhavana kI ora gyaa| usa samaya sudaMta, unakI patnI aura putrI-tInoM pratikramaNa kI upAsanA karane baiTha gae the| bhavana kI paricArikA ne mahApratihAra ko Adara sahita biThAte hue kahA'seThajI to abhI pratikramaNa karane baiThe haiN| unheM kucha samaya aura lgegaa|' ajaya unakI pratIkSA meM vahIM baiThA rhaa| kucha samaya pazcAt vastra badalakara seTha sudaMta baiThaka-kakSa meM aayaa| mahApratihAra ne kuzalakSema pUchakara kahA- 'rAjarAjezvara kI AjJA hai ki Apa aura ApakI suputrI mere sAtha ratha meM rAjabhavana cleN| mahArAjA ApakI pratIkSA kara rahe haiN|' 'merI putrI ke sAtha?' 'hAM, seThajI!' 'parantu aisA kyA kAma hai ki....' bIca meM hI pratihAra bola par3A- 'mujhe kucha bhI jJAta nahIM hai| tujhe to Apako Adarasahita sAtha lAne ko kahA hai|' sudaMta seTha vicAra meM par3a gyaa| vaha tatkAla uThakara apanI patnI ke kakSa meM gayA aura rAjAjJA kI bAta btaaii| putrI bhI vahIM thii| usane kahA-'pitAjI! isameM cintA kI kyA bAta hai? Apa jAeM aura mahApratihAra ko kaheM ki merI putrI rAtri meM bhavana ke bAhara nahIM nikltii|' seTha vastra badalakara mahApratihAra ke pAsa AyA aura bolA- 'calo, maiM A rahA huuN| merI putrI rAtri meM bhavana ke bAhara nahIM nikltii|' mahApratihAra seTha ko ratha meM biThAkara rAjabhavana kI ora cala pdd'aa| vIra vikrama upavana se baiThaka-khaMDa meM Akara seThajI kI pratIkSA kara rahe the| 366 vIra vikramAditya

Page #404
mahApratihAra ajaya ne kakSa meM praveza kara kahA- 'mahArAja kI jaya ho! seThajI AeM haiN| unakI putrI rAtri meM kahIM AtI-jAtI nhiiN|' seThajI ko lekara ajaya kakSa meM gyaa| seThajI ne mahArAjA ko dekhate hI kahA- 'rAjezvara kI jaya ho!' donoM eka Asana para baitthe| vIra vikrama ne kahA- 'seThajI, mujhe ApakI kanyA se hI mukhya kArya thaa|' _ 'yadi Apa mujhe kaheMge to maiM apanI putrI ko....|' ___ seThajI! kala rAta maiM nagaracarcA ke lie gayA thaa| usa samaya ApakI putrI ne mere eka kArya ko mUrkhatApUrNa kahA thaa| maiM yaha jAnanA cAhatA hUM ki merA kauna-sA kArya mUrkhatApUrNa hai?' __ 'kRpAnAtha! merI kanyA nAdAna hai| ekAkI putrI hone ke kAraNa vaha bahuta lADa-pyAra meM palI-pusI hai| usane kucha kahA, isake lie maiM kSamAyAcanA karatA huuN|' 'seThajI! ApakI kanyA ko maiM kucha kahanA nahIM caahtaa| maiM apanA doSa jAnanA cAhatA huuN| kala prAta:kAla sUryodaya ke pazcAt apanI putrI ko taiyAra rkheN| maiM ratha bhejuuNgaa|' . 'acchA, kRpAnAtha!' seTha atyanta zokAkula ho gae the| mahArAjA ne seThajI ko Adara-sahita vidA kiyaa| dUsare dina sUryodaya ke pazcAt seTha sudaMta aura unakI kanyA manamohinI ratha meM baiThakara rAjabhavana kI ora vidA huii| vIra vikrama prAta:kArya se nivRtta hokara, pUjA-upAsanA sampanna kara maMtraNAgRha meM A ge| usI samaya seTha aura unakI kanyA vahAM A phuNcii| manamohinIne pUchA- 'mahArAja! kyA AjJA hai?' putrI! parasoMrAta tUapanI sakhiyoM kesAtha bAtacIta kara rahI thii| usa samaya tUne merI ghoSaNA ko mUrkhatApUrNa kahA thaa| maiM ise samajhanA cAhatA huuN|' 'kRpAnAtha! mAtA-pitA kA apanI saMtAna ke prati vizeSa prema honA asvAbhAvika nahIM hai| isI prema ke vazIbhUta hokara Apane yaha ghoSaNA kI, aisA pratIta hotA hai| kintu strI kI tIvra buddhi kI ora Apane dhyAna nahIM diyaa| Apane puruSa jAti kI zreSThatA sthApita kara strI jAti kI avamAnanA kI hai| nArI nirbala nahIM hotii| kRpAvatAra! strI kI zakti bejor3a hotI hai| vaha yadi cAhe to indra, candra, sUrya Adi mahAn devatAoM ko bhI bAMdha sakatI hai| strI kA nAma bhale hI abalA ho, para vaha mahAna kArya saMpAdita karane meM samartha hai| Apa strI kI zakti kI ora dRSTi kreN| strI ne bar3e-bar3e samrAToM ko dhUla caTAI hai| usane bar3e-bar3e RSiyoM vIra vikramAditya 367

Page #405
ko vicalita kiyA hai| Apake putra ne aisA kauna-sA bar3A kArya kiyA hai, jisake caritra ke samakSa strI-caritra nyUna lagatA hai?' vIra vikrama manamohinI ke tejasvI mukha ko sthiradRSTi se dekhate rhe| sudaMta seTha kA hRdaya dhar3aka rahA thaa| isa prakAra spaSTa uttara dene vAlI kanyA para vikrama kyA nahIM kara deMge? are! yaha acintita vipatti kahAM se A par3I? vikrama bole'putrI! tujhe jo kahanA ho vaha ni:saMkoca hokara kh| kintu merI mUrkhatA kA abhI taka mujhe jJAna nahIM huaa| tU spaSTatA se kh|' / _ 'rAjarAjezvara! Apako abhI taka kisI strI ke caritra kA pUrA anubhava nahIM hai|' manamohinI ne khaa| 'putrI! terA kathana sahI hai| mujhe strI-caritra kA anubhava to huA hai, para ve striyAM kulaTAeM thiiN| vikramacaritra kisI strI ke sAtha caMcala nahIM huaa| maiM aisI strI ko dekhanA cAhatA haM jo vikramacaritra kI buddhi se adhika tejasvI ho aura apane buddhibala se vikramacaritra ko parAjita kare / yadi aisA hotA hai to merI ghoSaNA mUrkhatApUrNa kahI jA sakatI hai, anyathA nhiiN|' 'mahArAja! abhI to merA upAsanA kA samaya ho gayA hai, kala phira miluuNgii|' manamohinI ne gaMbhIratA se khaa| mahArAja ne ratha maMgAyA aura use ghara bheja diyaa| 72. saMgharSa kA prAraMbha dUsare dina manamohinI apane pitA ke sAtha mahArAjA ke pAsa phuNcii| usane kahA'kRpAvatAra! Apane kala jo zarta rakhI thI, vaha to bhaviSya kI bAta ho sakatI hai| yuvarAjazrI jaba kabhI strI ke sAthI baneM aura vaha strI bhI buddhimatI mile, taba jayaparAjaya kA nirNaya ho sakatA hai|' 'yaha ThIka hai| mere mana meM eka vicAra A rahA hai|' vikrama ne khaa| 'kRpAnAtha! kaheM, kyA vicAra hai?' 'tU ne yuvarAjazrI ko dekhA hai?' 'hAM, jaba mahAdevI kI zobhAyAtrA nikalI thI, tb|' 'vikramacaritra tujhe kaisA lagA?' 'dikhane meM suMdara haiM, sazakta haiM aura saumya bhI haiM, kintu unakI buddhi kA paricaya mujhe nahIM hai|' mohinI ne khaa| 'yadi isa paricaya kA eka avasara dUM to?' 368 vIra vikramAditya

Page #406
'maiM usako harSapUrvaka svIkAra karUMgI aura yuvarAjazrI kI buddhi ko kasauTI para kasakara use parAjita kruuNgii|' manamohinI ne garva ke sAtha khaa|| rAjA vIra vikrama haMsa pdd'e| phira sudaMta seTha kI ora mur3akara bole-'seThajI, maiM ApakI sukanyA ko apanI putravadhU banAnA cAhatA huuN|' 'kRpAnAtha.... 'maiM saca kahatA huuN| abhI yuvarAja yahAM nahIM haiM, kintu kSatriyoM ke rItirivAja ke anusAra kala maiM godhUli-velA meM ApakI putrI ke sAtha lagna karane ke lie yuvarAjazrI kA khaDga bhejuuNgaa|' 'kala hI!' 'hAM, seThajI! kala hii| ApakI kanyA rUpa, guNa aura buddhi meM apUrva haiN| mujhe vizvAsa hai ki ApakI putrI manamohinI apanI bAta pramANita karegI to vaha mAlavadeza kI yuvarAjJI bana skegii|' sudaMta vicAramagna ho gyaa| manamohinI ne vikrama ke mana ko samajha liyA thaa| vaha bolI- 'mahArAja! maiM taiyAra huuN| nara-nArI ke sanAtana saMgharSa meM nArI kI hI vijaya hotI hai, yaha maiM pramANita kara duuNgii|' 'beTI! Aveza meM koI kadama mata bddh'aanaa| yuvarAjJI pada sahaja nahIM hai|' 'yuvarAjJI pada ke lie maiM saMgharSa karanA nahIM caahtii|' 'to....?' 'ApakA vicAra ayathArtha hai, yaha pramANita karane ke lie|' 'acchA', vikrama ne khaa| phira sudaMta seTha kI ora dekhakara bole-'seThajI! Apane kyA socA hai?' 'ApakI bhAvanA kA maiM satkAra karatA huuN|' seTha ne khaa| 'to kala saMdhyA kI velA meM lagna kI vidhi pUrI ho jAnI caahie| Apake aura mere sivAya kisI ko isakA patA na lge| merA eka vizvAsapAtra vyakti yuvarAja kA khaDga lekara aaegaa| Apake bhavana meM gupta rUpa se lagnavidhi sampanna hogii| rAjapurohita svayaM lagnavidhi ko sampanna karane aaeNge| vivAha hone para ApakI kanyA khaDga ke sAtha ratha meM baiThakara yahAM aaegii| maiM apanI putravadhU ko AzIrvAda dUMgA aura usako eka aisA kArya sauMpUMgA ki jisase jaya-parAjaya kA nirNaya ho ske|' sudaMta ne patrI kI ora dekhaa| kanyA bolI-'yaha mujhe svIkAra hai| mujhe koI Apatti nahIM hai| kintu maiM yuvarAjazrI kI pariNItA hUM, isakA prmaann....|' 'putrI ! pramANa maiM svayaM hI huuN|' vIra vikramAditya 366

Page #407
'nahIM, mahArAja! Arya nArI jIvana meM eka hI bAra vivAha - sUtra meM baMdhatI hai| Apa hajAra varSa taka jIvita raheM, para krUra kAla para vizvAsa nahIM kiyA jA sktaa|' kiyA / 'yuvarAja kI mudrA maiM tujhe duuNgaa|' 'acchA' kahakara manamohinI khar3I huI aura mahArAjA ko bhAvapUrvaka namana vIra vikrama ne manamohinI ke mastaka para hAtha rkhaa| pitA-putrI vidA hue| ghara pahuMcakara sudaMta ne sArA vRttAnta seThAnI se khaa| seThAnI asamaMjasa meM par3a gii| mAM ko cintita dekhakara manamohinI bolI- 'mAM! Apa cintA na kareM / vIra vikrama merI parIkSA karanA cAhate haiM, kintu ve nahIM jAnate ki kaMcana bhayaMkara agni meM jalakara bhI apanI tejasvitA ko nahIM chor3atA / kadAcit agni meM jalakara kaMcana rAkha bana jAtA hai para usa rAkha meM bhI usakI tejasvitA virAjamAna rahatI hai| Apa kisI bhI prakAra kI zaMkA na kareM / ' dUsare dina saMdhyAkAla meM rAjapurohita aura mahApratihAra ajaya yuvarAja ke khaDga ke sAtha sudaMta ke ghara A phuNce| usa samaya dAsa-dAsiyoM ko anyatra bheja dene ke kAraNa bhavana sUnA thaa| seTha, seThAnI aura manamohinI ke atirikta vahAM koI nahIM thA / seTha-seThAnI ne khaDga kA svAgata kiyaa| use asalI motiyoM se vardhApita kiyA aura godhUli -velA meM lagnavidhi sampanna huii| lagnavidhi sampanna hote hI mahApratihAra ajaya ne yuvarAja kI mudrikA devI manamohinI ke hAtha meM dete hue kahA- 'mahArAja ne yaha bheMTa-svarUpa bhejA hai| aba Apa taiyAra ho jAeM, rAjabhavana calane ke lie / ' manamohinI ne vaha mudrikA mAM ko sauMpate hue kahA- 'mAM ! isa mudrikA ko Apa atyanta surakSita rkhnaa| AvazyakatA par3egI to maiM maMgA luuNgii|' mAtA-pitA ne rote hRdaya se putrI ko vidAI dii| manamohinI kA ratha rAjabhavana meM A phuNcaa| rAjapurohita aura manamohinI apane khaDga ke sAtha ratha se nIce utre| mahApratihAra khaDga sahita yuvarAjJI ko lekara mahArAjA vikramAditya ke mukhya khaMDa meM gyaa| vIra vikrama vahIM baiThe the| apanI putravadhU ko AtI dekhakara ve khar3e ho ge| 400 vIra vikramAditya

Page #408
manamohinI nemahArAjA ke caraNoM meM mastaka jhukaayaa| vIra vikrama bole-'putrI! terI vijaya ho, yaha merA AzIrvAda hai| le, yaha ratnamAlA dhAraNa kara le|' vIra vikrama ne eka atyanta mUlyavAn ratnamAlA putravadhU ko dii| vikrama bole- 'putrI, aba mere sAtha-sAtha cala / maiM tujhe jo kArya sauMpanA cAhatA hUM, usako acchI taraha se samajha le|' manamohinI vikrama ke pIche-pIche cala pdd'ii| vikrama aura manamohinI eka ratha meM baiTha ge| ratha gatimAna huA aura ziprA nadI ke kinAre eka upavana meM praviSTa huaa| rAtri kA samaya thA, isalie manamohinI ko kucha bhI spaSTatA se nahIM dikha pA rahA thaa| ___ vaha eka choTA upavana thaa| usa upavana meM eka bhUgRha thaa| usameM do kakSa the-eka zayanakakSa aura dUsarA zauca-sthAna Adi ke lie upayukta kakSa / zayanakakSa meM sArI sAmagrI vyavasthita DhaMga se par3I thii| palaMga, bistara, jala-kuMbha Adi Adi Avazyaka cIjeM vahAM rakhI huI thiiN| usa bhUgRha meM eka hI jAlI thii| usameM se maMda prakAza AtA thaa| vaha jAlI itanI UMcI thI ki sAmAnya manuSya kA hAtha usa taka nahIM pahuMca pAtA thaa| vahAM Akara ratha rukaa| vIra vikrama bole- 'putrI, aba hama upayukta sthAna para A gae haiN| tU nIce utr|' manamohinI nanunaca kie binA nIce utrii| usI samaya eka dAsI dIpaka lekara A phuNcii| vIra vikrama nedAsI ke sAmane dekhakara kahA-'sumitrA! saba ThIka haina?' 'hAM, kRpAnAtha!' 'dvAra khola!' sumitrA ne tatkAla bhUgRha kA dvAra kholaa| vIra vikrama putravadhU ke sAtha garbhagRha ke dvAra ke pAsa aae| unhoMne dAsI ke hAtha se dIpaka lekara manamohinI se kahA'mere pIche-pIche calI aa|' sumitrA dvAra ke pAsa khar3I rhii| vIra vikrama aura manamohinI dasa-bAraha sopAna nIce utare aura eka khaMDa meM phuNce| usameM eka choTA-sA dIpaka jala rahA thaa| vikrama ne apane hAtha vAlA dIpaka dvAra ke pAsa rakhakara kahA- 'beTI! isa sthAna kI koI kalpanA hai?' 'haaN...|' 'kyA?' vIra vikramAditya 401

Page #409
'yaha koI kArAgAra pratIta hotA hai|' 'terA anumAna sahI hai, kintu tere lie yaha kArAgAra nahIM, karttavyAgAra hai| terI suvidhA ke lie yahAM sArI sAmagrI par3I hai| merI eka vizvasta dAsI sumitrA dina-rAta yahIM bAhara ke nivAsagRha meM rhegii| eka mahIne ke pazcAt isake sthAna para dUsarI dAsI A jaaegii| yaha krama calatA rhegaa| dAsI tere bhojana kI pUrI vyavasthA kregii| bAhara se hI bhojana-pAnI Adi tere pAsa pahuMcAyA jAegA / maiMne pUrI vyavasthA kara dI hai|' 'maiM dhanya huI, kintu isa kArAvAsa meM mujhe karanA kyA hai?' 'putrI! vahI maiM aba batA rahA huuN| tUne apane pati ko dekhA nahIM aura yuvarAja ko bhI jJAta nahIM hai ki tere sAtha usakA vivAha huA hai| aba tujhe eka kArya karanA hai, jisase yaha siddha ho sake ki vikramacaritra se bhI strIcaritra mahAn hai|' 'AjJA kreN|' 'tU isa kArAgAra se tabhI mukta ho sakegI jaba terI goda meM merA pautra kilakAriyAM bhregaa|' vikrama ne khaa| 'mahArAja....' 'putrI ! isa saMgharSa se bhaya lagatA ho to maiM tujhe abhI bhI rAjabhavana meM le jAne ke lie taiyAra huuN|' 'nahIM, pitAjI!.....ApakI cunautI ko eka Arya nArI ne svIkArA hai| nArI saMgharSa meM nirbhaya hotI hai|' manamohinI ne tejasvI svaroM meM kahA aura mahArAjA ko namana kiyaa| vIra vikrama manamohinI ke mastaka para hAtha rakhakara vahAM se vidA ho ge| unhoMne svayaM khaMDa kA dvAra bAhara se baMda kara tAlA lagA diyA aura cAbiyAM sAtha lekara, sumitrA ko sUcita kara, rAjabhavana kI ora cala pdd'e| jisake hRdaya meM aneka AzAeM aThakheliyAM kara rahI thIM, citta meM yauvana ke pariprekSya meM aneka kalpanAeM nAca rahI thIM aura bhAvI jIvana kI ananta kavitAeM jisane apane mana meM raca rakhI thIM, vaha manamohinI eka aise kArAgAra meM par3I thI, jahAM se chuTakArA milanA azakya thaa| karor3apati mAM-bApa kI vaha lADalI vIra vikrama se Takkara lene kA nirNaya kara usa bhUgRha ke eka kone meM par3I thii| eka ora rAjahaTha! dUsarI ora strIhaTha! dina bItate-bItate mahIne bIta ge| 402 vIra vikramAditya

Page #410
niyamita uttama bhojana miltaa| mukhavAsa ke lie uttama sAmagrI aatii| jo mAMgatI vaha use mila jaataa| pratidina vastra dhulakara A jAte / yadA-kadA naye vastra bhI mila jaate| prati mAsa vikrama kI vizvasta dAsiyAM apane krama se vahAM rhtiiN| unameM sumitrA aura nandA ne manamohinI.kI himmata dekhakara dAMtoM tale aMgulI dabA lI thii| sumitrA manamohinI ke prati atyadhika AkarSita banI thii| usake mana meMmohinI ke prati sahaja samabhAva thaa| vaha kabhI-kabhI manamohinI ke prati saMvedanA vyakta karane ke lie bhI usase bAtacIta kara letI thii| eka dina manamohinI ne apane alaMkAroM meM se svarNa kI eka mAlA nikAlakara sumitrA ko dete hue kahA- 'mAM! maiM yaha tumheM bheMTa de rahI huuN| ise svIkAra kara lenaa| merAmana mata todd'naa|' sumitrA ne use saharSa svIkAra kara liyaa| dhIre-dhIre donoM meM mAM-beTI kA-sA saMbaMdha ho gyaa| sumitrA ke mana meM manamohinI ke prati apAra udAra bhAva prakaTa hone lge| vaha usake du:kha ko apanA du:kha mAnane lgii| __manamohinI ne eka yojanA taiyAra kI aura use aMjana, kuMkuma aura zalAkA ke yoga se tAr3apatra para likhaa| do dina bAda jaba sumitrA bhojana dene AyI taba manamohinI ne kahA- 'sumitrA! do dina bAda mere pitAzrI kA janmadina hai| prativarSa maiM ise manAtI rahI huuN| maiM unakI ikalautI beTI huuN| kala ve mujhe bhavana meM na dekhakara atyanta du:khI hoNge| maiM prativarSa unako pAna kA bIr3A detI rahI huuN| Aja maiM vivaza hUM....' __'devI! Apa cintA na kareM, maiM pAna de aauuNgii| Apa pUrA nAma-ThikAnA btaaeN|' ..'mAM! maiM dhanya huI, kintunahIM....yaha kAma maiM nahIM sauMpa sktii|' manamohinI ne bhAvabhare svaroM meM khaa| 'kyoM devI?' 'tuma eka zarta svIkAra karo to maiM kaha sakatI huuN|' 'bolo|' 'mere mAtA-pitA yadi mere viSaya meM kucha pUche to yahI kahanA hai ki tumhArI putrI rAjabhavana meM Ananda se hai| use tanika bhI kaSTa nahIM hai| yadi tuma isa kArAgAra ke jIvana kA AbhAsa bhI karA dogI to saMbhava hai ve prANatyAga kara deN|' 'devI ! maiM isakI bhanaka bhI nahIM hone duuNgii|' vIra vikramAditya 403

Page #411
'to mujhe eka bar3A pAna lA denaa| maiM use bIr3A banAkara tumheM sauNpuuNgii|' dUsare dina sumitrA manamohinI se pAna lekara tatkAla cala par3I aura seTha sudaMta ke bhavana para pahuMca gii| seTha usa samaya dUkAna jAne kI taiyArI meM the| usane seThajI ko praNAma kiyA aura kahA - 'prativarSa ke niyamAnusAra ApakI putrI ne pAna kA yaha bIr3A bhejA hai / ' catura vaNik samajha gyaa| usane pAna kA bIr3A le liyA aura manamohinI kA kuzalakSema pUchakara sumitrA ko vidA kiyaa| seTha apane khaMDa meM gayA, seThAnI bhI vahAM A gii| sudaMta seTha ne pAna kA bIr3A kholaa| seThAnI bolI- 'kaisA pAna ? kaisA janmadina ? mujhe to kucha bhI samajha meM nahIM A rahA hai / ' seTha bolA- 'yadi tujhe saba kucha samajha meM Ane lage to tujhe dUkAna para na biThA dUM? Aja pAMca mahInoM bAda putrI ne pahalI bAra kucha saMdeza bhejA hai| yaha gupta honA cAhie / ' seTha ne pAna kA bIr3A kholaa| usameM se eka tAr3apatra nikaalaa| seTha ne usako par3hanA prAraMbha kiyA.... " pitAzrI ! jisa rAta maiM Apase vidA lekara rAjabhavana meM gaI, usI rAta se mahArAjA ne mujhe ziprA nadI ke kinAre bane hue eka bhUgRha meM rakhA hai| yahAM mujhe koI kaSTa nahIM hai, para jo kArya mujhe karanA hai vaha bAhara nikale binA nahIM kara sktii| isalie maiM cAhatI hUM ki Apa kisI bhI zilpI se milakara isa bhUgRha se apane bhavana taka eka suraMga banavA deM to maiM A-jA sakatI huuN| phira mujhe jo karanA hai, vaha kruuNgii| Apa thor3e meM adhika samajha leM / ' patra par3hakara seTha gaMbhIra vicAra meM par3a ge| unhoMne tAr3apatra ke Tukar3e-Tukar3e kara DAle / seTha suraMga ke nirmANa ke viSaya meM socane lge| acAnaka unheM apane bAlamitra mahAn zilpI devacandra kI smRti ho AyI aura ve tatkAla ratha meM baiThakara usake ghara pahuMca gaye / ekAnta meM donoM ne vicAra-vimarza kiyaa| devacandra bolA'seThajI ! isa kArAgAra ko mere pitAzrI ne banAyA hai| kyA usakA beTA usase nikalane kA mArga nahIM banA sakatA ?' 'dekho, yaha bAta kisI se mata khnaa| terI bhAbhI se bhI nhiiN|' seTha ne kahA / kucha dina bIte / devacandra ne donoM sthAnoM kA sUkSma nirIkSaNa kiyaa| sArI jAnakArI prApta kara usane suraMga kA kArya prArambha kara diyaa| dasa dina bIte / bIsa-tIsa dina bIta gae / 404 vIra vikramAditya

Page #412
unacAlIsavAM dina ugA aura jahAM manamohinI kA palaMga bichA par3A thA, vahAM jamIna ke nIce Thak-Thak kI AvAja hone lgii| rAta kA dUsarA prahara cala rahA thaa| manamohinI saba samajha gaI thii| usane palaMga ko eka ora khisakAyA aura do ghaTikA ke pazcAt vahAM eka cheda dIkha pdd'aa| thor3e samaya pazcAt svayaM devacandra usa cheda meM se pahale bAhara nikalA aura manamohinI kI ora dekhakara bolA-'beTI! tere lie yaha vivara karanA par3A hai|' manamohinI devacandra ke caraNoM meM nata hokara bolI- 'mujhe Apa para vizvAsa thaa|' devacandra ne usa vivara para Dhakkana Adi kA sArA kArya sampanna kara diyaa| usa samaya rAtri kA tIsarA prahara pUrA ho rahA thaa| devacandra bolA-'manu! aba do dina zeSa rahe haiN| do dinoM meM sopAna taiyAra ho jaaeNge| aura mArga bhI acchA ho jaaegaa| sArA kArya pUrA ho jAegAM aba kevala do dinoM meM terI mukti.....' 73. eka kutUhala do dina pshcaat....| AdhI rAta bIta rahI thii| usa samaya usa suraMga ke Dhakkana ke khulane kI AvAja aayii| devacandra ne kahA- 'beTI! palaMga ko thor3A khisakA laa|' manamohinI jAgatI hI zayyA para par3I thii| usane AvAja sunate hI palaMga khIMca liyaa| devacandra bolA- 'beTI! aba mere sAtha cl|' "aise nahIM! kala rAta Apa mere ghara kI priya dAsI subhadrA ko bheja deN| vaha mere sthAna para yahAM rahegI aura phira maiN...|' 'oha! samajha gyaa| kintu usa khir3akI se yadi dAsI ne subhadrA ko pahacAna liyA to.....?' 'nahIM pahacAna skegii| maiM kala sArI vyavasthA kara luuNgii|' manamohinI ne khaa| devacandra ke hAtha meM dIpaka thaa| vaha nIce calA gyaa| dUsare dina prAta:kAla svarNa kA eka kaMgana dAsI sumitrA ko detI huI manamohinI bolI- 'sumitrA ! maiM kala se dharma kI ArAdhanA prArambha karane vAlI huuN| maiM mauna rhuuNgii| kisI se bolUMgI nhiiN| bhojana, jala Adi mauna-bhAva se le luuNgii| kintu merA yaha vrata kisI ko jJAta na hone pAe, anyathA merI ArAdhanA meM vighna upasthita ho jaaegaa|' 'ApakA maunavrata kaba taka calegA?' sumitrA dAsI ne puuchaa| vIra vikramAditya 405

Page #413
'cAlIsa se nabbe dina tk|' 'bApa re!.....itanA kaThora vrata kisalie?' 'Atma-kalyANa ke lie.... sumitrA ke mana meM manamohinI ke prati zraddhA gAr3ha ho gii| usI dina madhyarAtri meM subhadrA ko sAtha lekara devacandra vahAM A phuNcaa| manamohinI ne subhadrA ko sArI bAta samajhA dI ki use pUrNa mauna rahanA hai aura jo kucha jarUrata ho use eka tAr3apatra para likhakara dAsI ko de denA hai| phira use bhojana, pAnI, zauca Adi kI vyavasthA ke viSaya meM sArI jAnakArI dekara bolI- 'sakhI, tujhe bhaya to nahIM lagegA?' ___'Apa yaha kyA kaha rahI haiM ? rAjA ko to bodhapATha denA hI caahie|' subhadrA ne khaa| 'maiM kabhI-kabhI tujhase milane ke lie AUMgI'-kahakara manamohinI samavayaska sakhI samAna dAsI subhadrA ke gale milI aura cAcA devacandra ke sAtha bhUgarbha-mArga se cala pdd'ii| subhadrA ne suraMga kA Dhakkana banda kiyA aura manamohinI ke nirdezAnusAra apane vastrAlaMkAra kholakara manamohinI ke vastrAlaMkAra dhAraNa kara liye| manamohinI kI eka yojanA saphala huI aura vaha mukti ke prakAza meM A gii| ghara Akara vaha mAtA-pitA se milii| mAtA ne use hRdaya se lagA liyA aura pitA bhI use dekhakara gadgada ho ge| kucha bAtacIta kara manamohinI bolI-'pitAzrI! maiM isa bhavana meM rahUMgI to dAsa-dAsI mujhe pahacAna leNge| pAsa meM apanA eka khAlI bhavana par3A hai na!' 'hAM!' 'usako kala hI ThIka-ThAka karavA deN| merI vizvasta do dAsiyoM ko vahAM bheja deN| maiM eka yoginI kA veza dhAraNa kara vahAM rhuuNgii|' 'yoginI kA veza?' 'hAM! mujhe vijaya prApta karanI hai| mahArAjA ko sahI dRSTi denI hai|' 'pitAjI ! yuvarAjazrI yahIM haiM yA pravAsa meM haiM ?' 'yahAM A gae haiM, aisA maiMne sunA hai|' seTha sudaMta bolaa| 'acchA.....merA kAma ho jaaegaa|' manamohinI ne khaa| dUsare dina manamohinI yoginI kA veza banAkara pAsa vAle makAna meM calI gii| aura sAyaM vaha rajasvalA huI, isalie tIna dina taka eka hI kamare meM rahanA Avazyaka ho gyaa| 406 vIra vikramAditya

Page #414
yoginI ke veza meM manamohinI kA rUpa zataguNita khila utthaa| usane bhagavA vastra, rudrAkSa kI mAlA pahana rakhI thii| lalATa para caMdana kA bhavya tripuMDra tilaka kara liyA thA.... vAstava meM navayauvanA yoginI indra ko bhI vicalita karane meM samartha rUpavatI aura AkarSaka laga rahI thii| . tIsare dina rAta meM jaba mAtA-pitA usase milane Ae taba manamohinI ne pitAzrI se kahA-'pitAzrI! Apa kala prAta: mahArAjA se milane jAeM aura parasoM ve apane yuvarAja putra ke sAtha yahAM bhojana karane padhAreM, aisI prArthanA kreN| ve yadi AnAkAnI kareM to kisI bAta kA bahAnA banAkara yuvarAjazrI ko ve avazya hI yahAM bhejeM, aisA nizcaya karAkara aaeN|' "phira?' 'phira kyA karanA hai, yaha bAda meM nizcaya kareMge....Apake bhavana para Ane kA eka hI mArga hai aura vaha mArga isa makAna ke pAsa se hI gujaratA hai....maiM jharokhe meM khar3I rahakara unheM dekha luuNgii| yadi usa samaya nahIM dekha pAUMgI to mAdhukarI ke nimitta ghara para A jaauuNgii|' mAtA-pitA ko kucha bhI samajha meM nahIM aayaa| cauthe dina RtusnAna kara manamohinI pitA ke bhavana meM bhikSA lene aayii| madhyAhna se pUrva seTha sudaMta putrI ke pAsa jAkara bolA- 'mahArAjA ne AnA svIkAra nahIM kiyA, kevala yuvarAjazrI apane eka mitra ke sAtha yahAM aaeNge|' 'kaba AeMge?' 'rAjasabhA sampanna hone para ve yahAM AeMge aura sAMjha taka yahIM rukeNge|' yaha sunakara manamohinI ke nayana tejomaya ho ge| . dUsare dina rAjasabhA meM jAne se pUrva vikramacaritra pitA ko praNAma karane gayA, taba vikrama bole-'Aja tujhe apanI sasurAla bhojana ke lie jAnA hai|' 'mere sasurAla ? pitAzrI! Apa yaha kyA kaha rahe haiM? vivAha ke binA hI sasurAla?' devakumAra ne Azcaryacakita hokara khaa| vIra vikrama bole- 'putra! baiTho, maiM sArI bAta batAtA huuN| maiMne eka dina eka sundara aura buddhimatI kanyA dekhI thii| kintu usa kanyA ne mere sAtha eka vivAda kiyaa| maiMne usa sundara kanyA ke pAsa gupta rUpa se terA khaDga bhejakara vivAha kI rIti sampanna kii| usakI buddhi kI parIkSA karane ke lie maiMne use eka aise sthAna para rakhA hai, jahAM usase koI mila nahIM sktaa| yaha bAta atyanta gupta hai| tuma bhI kisI se mata khnaa|' vIra vikramAditya 407

Page #415
'kintu, pitAzrI!' 'putra! maiMne jo kadama uThAyA hai, vaha soca-vicAra kara uThAyA hai| tuma nizcinta rho| tuma kala sasurAla cale jaanaa|' dina ke dUsare prahara se pUrva hI rAjasabhA kI kAryavAhI sampanna ho gii| yuvarAja apane mitra maMtrI-putra ko sAtha lekara ghor3e para ArUr3ha hokara vaNikabAr3I meM seTha sudaMta ke ghara kI ora cala pdd'e| calate-calate unakI dRSTi eka makAna ke vAtAyana meM khar3I navayauvanA para pdd'ii| usako dekhate hI yuvarAja ke Azcarya kA pAra nahIM rhaa| vidhAtA ne apane vizrAma ke kSaNoM meM isa navayauvanA ko nirmita kiyA ho, aisA laga rahA thaa| usake tejasvI nayana spaSTa dIkha rahe the| usakA rUpa-lAvaNya devatAoM ko bhI svarga se bhUmi para le Ane vAlA thaa| mAtra do-cAra kSaNa..... / yoginI ke nayanoM se devakumAra ke nayana TakarA ge| yoginI usI kSaNa lauTa gii| use jo dekhanA thA, vaha dRSTigata ho cukA thaa| maMtrI-putra kA azva Age bar3ha gayA thA aura yuvarAjazrI kA azva vahIM ruka gayA thaa| yuvarAjazrI ke mana meM prazna ubharA-yaha bhavana kisakA...? sudaMta seTha kA makAna A gyaa| seTha dvAra para hI khar3e the| unhoMne Adara sahita yuvarAjazrI kA svAgata kiyaa| seThAnI ne dAmAda kA vardhApana kiyA aura eka ratnamAlA unake kaMTha meM Aropita kii| ___ maMtrI-putra ko Azcarya huA ki sudaMta seTha ke yahAM yaha svAgata kaisA? sudaMta seTha donoM ko eka susajjita kakSa meM le gyaa| vahAM bhojana kI vyavasthA thii| sabhI bhojana karane baitthe| kintu madabhare nayana jaba TakarAte haiM taba bhUkha, nIMda aura viveka-ye saba palAyana kara jAte haiN| yuvarAja kI bhUkha vidA ho gaI thii| phira bhI lokalAja se kucha khaayaa| maMtrIputra bhI yuvarAja kI alpa bhUkha ko dekhakara hairAna raha gyaa| yuvarAja aura maMtrIputra-donoM bhojana karane ke bAda vizrAma karane lge| donoM zayyA para par3e-par3e bAtacIta karate rhe| kucha hI samaya pazcAt mantrIputra nidrAdhIna ho gae, kintu yuvarAja karavaTeM badalane lge| unake nayanoM meM yoginI kA citra ubhara-ubharakara A rahA thaa| ___maMtrI-putra ko nidrAdhIna dekhakara yuvarAja zayyA se nIce utare aura khaMDa se bAhara aae| unakA mana yaha jAnane ke lie atyadhika Atura ho rahA thA ki yoginI kauna hai? unhoMne eka bAra yoginI ke makAna ke pAsa jAne kI socii| ve sopAna zreNI se nIce aae| seThAnI ne unheM dekha liyaa| usane pUchA-'yuvarAjazrI! kyA kucha cAhie? 408 vIra vikramAditya

Page #416
'nahIM-nahIM, mujhe dina meM sone kI Adata nahIM hai| maiMne socA, mitra se mila aauuN|' 'Apa kaheM to Apake mitra ko yahIM bulA bhejUM?' 'nahIM, phira kabhI mila lUMgA'-kahakara yuvarAja cale ge| jJAna, saMskAra aura buddhi apUrva hotI hai, kintu javAnI apanA kAma karatI rahatI hai| pahale kutUhala utpanna hotA hai, phira adhIratA ubharatI hai| yuvarAja devakumAra sabhI kI dRSTi meM savAIvikrama athavA vikramacaritra ke nAma se pahacAnA jAtA, para antata: vaha thA to eka naujavAna hii| jisako dekhate hI mana meM khalabalI maca jAe, aisI sundarI ko dekhakara kutUhala honA svAbhAvika hai aura usake prati eka lipsA kI jAgRti bhI asvAbhAvika nahIM mAnI jA sktii| yuvarAja puna: mukhya dvAra se bAhara niklaa| usa makAna ke nikaTa gayA.... are, yahI bhavana! yahI vAtAyana ! kintu yoginI kahAM hogI? kyA bhojana kara rahI hai yA vizrAma kara rahI hai? yuvarAja do kSaNoM taka vAtAyana kI ora dekhatA rhaa| vahAM eka ora paricArikA khar3I thii| yuvarAja ne pUchA- 'yoginI devI yahIM rahatI haiM? 'hAM, zrImAn!' 'ye kahAM se AyI haiM?' 'ramatArAma haiN| pAMca-dasa dina ke lie yahAM AyI haiN| inake bhaktoM ne inheM khAlI bhavana meM rakhA hai|' dAsI ne khaa| 'yadi unase milanA ho to?' 'prasannatA se| ApakA zubhanAma?' 'maiM rAjA vIra vikrama kA yuvarAja huuN|' 'kSamA kareM, yuvarAjazrI! Apa bhItara padhAreM', kahakara dAsI bhItara calI gii| bhavana svaccha thA....kahIM koI gaMdagI yA Ubar3a-khAbar3apana nahIM thaa| yuvarAja ko eka kakSa meM biThAtI huI dAsI bolI-'Apa kucha dera yahAM virAjeM, maiM yoginI devI kI AjJA....' bIca meM hI yuvarAja bole- 'khuzI se.......' yoginI ke veza meM manamohinI yaha saMvAda dvAra ke pIche khar3I-khar3I suna rahI thii| saMvAda pUrA hote hI tatkAla apane kakSa meM jAkara mRgacarma para baiTha gii| dAsI ke pUchane para vaha bolI- 'jA, yuvarAja ko yahAM bheja de|' dAsI tatkAla mudd'ii| vIra vikramAditya 406

Page #417
yuvarAja yoginI ke khaMDa meM aae| yoginI kA rUpa lAvaNya dekhakara ve avAk raha ge| unhoMne donoM hAtha jor3akara kahA - 'kSamA kareM, yoginIjI ! maiMne jaba se Apako dekhA hai, mere mana meM eka kutUhala jAgA hai|' 'kutUhala ?' muskarAtI huI yoginI ne prazna kiyA / 'hAM / ' 'kisa prakAra kA kutUhala ?' 'Apane abhI yauvana ke prathama caraNa meM pAdanyAsa kiyA hai| ApakA pratyeka avayava tejasvI aura AkarSaka hai| isa choTI umra meM Apako saMsAra-tyAga kyoM karanA par3A ?' yoginI haMsa pdd'ii| yaha haMsI itanI vedhaka thI ki yuvarAja ke hRdaya kI dhar3akana bar3ha gaI / vaha bolI- 'yuvarAjazrI ! maiMne abhI taka saMsAra - tyAga nahIM kiyA hai, kintu saMsAra-tyAga kI pRSThabhUmi taiyAra kara rahI huuN|' 'maiM samajhA nahIM..... / ' 'mere mAtA-pitA bahuta dUra deza meM rahate haiN| ve sukhI aura samRddha haiM / mere para unakA atula prema hai / merA eka choTA bhAI bhI hai| mere prati usakI mamatA bhI apAra hai / isalie kisI duHkha se ghabarAkara maiMne saMsAra - tyAga karane kA vicAra nahIM kiyA hai / ' 'to phira ?' 'isa saMsAra-tyAga ke pIche mere jIvana kA eka adhyAya gupta par3A hai| nItizAstra kA abhimata hai ki aparicita vyakti ke samakSa jIvana ke gupta pRSTha kI abhivyakti nahIM karanI cAhie / phira bhI jisa kArya kI sampUrti ke lie maiMne yaha vrata grahaNa kiyA hai, vaha yahAM pUrA ho to....' I yuvarAja ne bIca meM hI prazna kara DAlA - 'devI zrI ! mere hRdaya kI jijJAsA tIvra hai| yadi Apa apanI gupta bAta mujhe kaheMgI to maiM vizvAsa dilAtA hUM ki usakA durupayoga nahIM hogA / ' 'taba to Apake samakSa mujhe apane jIvana kA adhyAya khulakara rakhanA hogA', kahakara yoginI do kSaNa taka vicAramagna hokara phira bolI- 'kumAra zrI ! maiM gyAraha mahIne se niraMtara ghUma rahI huuN| vividha pradezoM kI maiMne yAtrA kI hai| mere mAtA-pitA merA vivAha karanA cAhate the, kintu maiM yaha cAhatI thI ki yadi suyogya pati mile to hI vivAha ke sUtra meM baMdhanA hai anyathA jIvanabhara kaumAryavrata kA hI pAlana karanA hai, yoginI banakara vicaraNa karanA hai| mere mAtA-pitA merI bAta se sahamata hokara bole - eka varSa ke bhItara tuma jisako pasanda karogI, usake sAtha tumhArA pANigrahaNa 410 vIra vikramAditya

Page #418
kreNge| yadi isa avadhi meM tumane kisI ko pasanda nahIM kiyA to phira hama apanI icchAnusAra tumhArA vivAha kara deNge| maiMne yaha bAta mAna lii| yahAM Ae mujhe AThadasa dina hue haiN| aba mere lie kevala kucha hI dina zeSa rahe haiN| mere mAtA-pitA bhI ekAdha saptAha meM A jaaeNge|' 'oha! kyA Apako abhI taka suyogya sAthI nahIM milA?' - 'nahIM, yadi milA hotA to maiM yahAM kyoM AtI?' kahakara yoginI muskarAne lgii| 'Apako kaSTa na ho to eka prazna karUM?' 'hAM, prasannatA se.....' 'Apane kisa prakAra ke jIvana-sAthI kI kalpanA kI hai? 'merI kalpanA kA jIvana-sAthI asvAbhAvika yA akalpanIya nahIM hai| jisake prANoM meM prema, mamatA aura mastI ho, jisake saMskAra zreSTha hoM, jo ImAnadArIpUrvaka sahavAsa nibhA sake aisA dRr3ha ho| aMtima bAta hai ki vaha mere mana ko bhA jAe to....|' 'oha! kyA isa avaMtI nagarI meM Apako aisA vyakti nahIM milA?' "milA hai....' yuvarAja cauNkaa| socA, sArA khela hI na bigar3a jaae| usane pUcha liyA-'kauna?' 'yaha nahIM kahUMgI', lajjA kI lAlimA mAno yoginI ke nayanoM meM aura mukha para chalakane lgii| 'devI! Apane itanA batA DAlA, phira thor3e ke lie ise kyoM apUrNa rakhatI haiM ? maiMne Apako jaba se dekhA hai, taba se.....' 'kutUhala jAgRta huA thA?' 'nahIM, devI! mAtra kutUhala hI nhiiN|' 'to?' 'maiM zabdoM se apanA manobhAva vyakta nahIM kara sktaa|' 'maiM samajha gii....| 'kyA?' 'rUpa aura yauvana ke prati puruSamAtra ko AkarSaNa hotA hI hai| AkarSaNa ko koI kutUhala mAnatA hai, koI prema mAnatA hai aura koI moha mAnatA hai|' 'nahIM, devI! aisI bAta nahIM hai| maiM naujavAna hUM, yaha saca hai, kintu Aja taka kisI nArI ke samparka meM nahIM AyA huuN| Aja hI maiMne Apako dekhA aura mere vIra vikramAditya 411

Page #419
mana meM eka apUrva bhAvadhArA prakaTa huii| pAsa meM sudaMta seTha ke yahAM bhojana karane baiThA, para bhojana kara nahIM sakA, kyoMki Apase milane ke lie merA mana chaTapaTA rahA thA / aba ni:saMkoca hokara Apa mujhe batAeM ki vaha bhAgyazAlI puruSa kauna haiM ?' 'maiMne usako Aja hI dekhA hai / ' 'Aja hI ?' 'haaN|' kahatI huI yoginI kI dRSTi nIce jhuka gaI / manamohinI samajha gaI ki usane yuvarAja ko pUrNarUpeNa prabhAvita kara liyA hai| 'vaha vyakti kauna hai ?' yuvarAja ne pUchA / 'mAneMge...?' 'avazya / ' -- 'Apa... 1 'hUM?' kahatA huA yuvarAja Asana se uTha khar3A huA aura bhAvAveza meM yoginI ke nikaTa calA gyaa| usane yoginI ke donoM hAtha pakar3a liye / yoginI ne tatkAla hAtha chur3Ate hue kahA - 'kumArazrI ! mujhe apane veza kI maryAdA rakhanI cAhie tathA hameM eka-dUsare ko samajhane kA prayAsa bhI kara lenA caahie|' 'maiM taiyAra huuN|' yuvarAja ne kahA / 'maiM to isa pradeza se aparicita huuN| hama aise kisI nIrava, zAnta aura ekAMta sthala meM caleM, jahAM baiThakara nizcintatA se bAteM kara eka-dUsare ko samajhane kA prayatna kreN| Apa AeMge ?' 'hAM / Aja sAMjha ko ?' 'nahIM, kala prAta: kAla / ' yoginI ne kahA / do kSaNa socakara yuvarAja bolA- 'devI! Apane ziprA nadI to dekhI hai ?' 'hAM......' 'to kala sUryodaya ke bAda usa nadI ke aMtima ghATa para Apa A jaanaa| maiM vahAM apanI naukA lekara aauuNgaa| vahAM se hama bIsa kosa dUra caMdanapura ke vanapradeza meM cleNge|' ' kintu Apa mujhe bahumAna se.....' bIca meM hI yuvarAja ne kahA- 'jaba taka Aveza hai, taba taka. donoM haMsa par3e / 412 vIra vikramAditya '

Page #420
74. mAlinI yuvarAja vikramacaritra apanA hRdaya yoginI ke caraNa-kamaloM meM arpita kara sudaMta seTha ke bhavana meM A phuNce| seTha-seThAnI donoM yuvarAjazrI kI pratIkSA meM khar3e the / yuvarAja ko dekhate hue seTha ne kahA- 'mujhe cintA ho rahI thI ki....' 'kisa bAta kI ?' 'mere ghara meM ApakA mana....' | bIca meM hI yuvarAja bole- 'nahIM, seThajI ! merA mana to prasanna hI huA hai dina meM nIMda lene kI Adata na hone ke kAraNa maiM apane eka mitra se milane calA gyaa| Apa anyathA na soceM / ' jalapAna kara yuvarAja Upara ke kakSa meM ge| maMtrIputra abhI so rahA thaa| yuvarAja apanI zayyA para karavaTeM badala rahe the| unakA mana yoginImaya ho gayA thA, yoginI yogya sAthI kI Toha meM nikalI hai aura usane mujhe hI pasanda kiyA hai| yaha mere lie parama saubhAgya kI bAta hai| aisA nArIratna devatAoM ko bhI durlabha hai| kala yaha mere sAtha AegI hii| caMdanapura ke ramaNIya vanapradeza meM saMdhyA se pUrva pahuMca jaaeNge| vahAM rAjya kA upavana hai| vahAM eka tIna maMjilA bhavana hai| vahAM nivAsa yogya sArI sAdhana-sAmagrI hai| vahAM se AdhA kosa kI dUrI para caMdanapura nAma kA eka choTA nagara hai| vahAM se khAdya sAmagrI prApta ho skegii| yadi yoginI prasanna ho jAegI to vahAM cAra-pAMca dina jIvana ke vasaMta kI bahAra lUTI jA skegii| aisI madhura kalpanAoM meM khoye hue yuvarAja maMtrIputra kI AvAja se tatkAla uTha baitthe| donoM mitra bAtacIta karane lage / sAyaMkAlIna bhojana se nivRtta hokara donoM mitra apane-apane azvoM para ArUr3ha hokara vahAM se vidA hue| jAte samaya yuvarAja ne usa jharokhe kI ora tirachI dRSTi se dekhaa| vahAM yoginI nahIM thI / jharokhA sUnA-sUnA thaa| sUne jharokhe ko dekhakara vikramacaritra ke hRdaya se eka ni:zvAsa nikalA / rAjabhavana meM jAne ke pazcAt devakumAra ne apane mitra maMtrIputra se kahA'mujhe tumhAre sAtha eka mahattvapUrNa bAta karanI hai| maiM pahale pitAjI se mila AtA hUM, taba taka yahIM baiThe rahanA / ' devakumAra mahArAja vikrama ke pAsa gayA aura namana kara khar3A raha gyaa| vIra vikrama ne seTha sudaMta ke ghara kI sArI bAta puuchii| yuvarAja ne kahA- 'seTha bahuta vIra vikramAditya 413 -

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zAlIna haiN| hamArA Atithya bahuta kiyA aura unhoMne Ate samaya mujhe bahumUlya nIlamamaNi kI mAlA bheTasvarUpa dii|' kucha anyAnya aupacArika bAtacIta ke pazcAt devakumAra bolA-'pitAzrI! Apa AjJA deM to maiM pAMca-sAta dinoM kA eka laghu pravAsa karanA cAhatA huuN|' 'tumheM kisa ora jAnA hai?' "ziprA nadI meM, naukA-vihAra ke lie jAnA cAhatA huuN|' 'acchaa| kaba jAnA hai?' 'kala praat:kaal|' do kSaNa socakara vikrama bole-'tumhAre sAtha kauna jAegA?' 'mere do mitra sAtha cleNge|' 'acchaa| isa Rtu meM jala-vihAra bahuta sukhaprada hotA hai| maiM ajaya ko kaha dUMgA / haMsa-naukA meM hI jaanaa| sAtha meM rakSakoM ko le lenaa|' "jii|' kahakara devakumAra ne mastaka nmaayaa| vaha apane mitra ke pAsa Akara bolA-'kala hameM pravAsa para calanA hai|' 'kyoM?' "mitra! saMsAra meM koI bhI kArya binA kAraNa ke nahIM hotaa| maiMne abhI taka tumheM eka madhura bAta nahIM btaaii| isa kakSa kA dvAra baMda to kara do|' AzcaryabharI dRSTi se yuvarAja kI ora dekhate-dekhate maMtrIputra khar3A huA aura 'madhura bAta kaisI? pravAsa kyoM?' ina praznoM ko mana-hI-mana gholatA huA dvAra ke pAsa phuNcaa| use baMda kara Asana para baiThate hue bolA-'mujhe lagatA hai ki yaha sArA sudaMta seTha ke anna kA prabhAva hai|' 'tumhArA anumAna sahI hai|' kahakara yuvarAja ne saMkSepa meM yoginI ko dekhane, yoginI se milane, yoginI ke sAtha huI carcA aura kala yoginI ko sAtha lekara caMdanapura ke vanapradeza meM jAne kI sArI bAta btaaii| pUrI bAta sunane ke pazcAt maMtrIputra bolA-'yuvarAjazrI! sArI bAta sunakara merA Azcarya zataguNita ho gayA hai| nArI kI parachAIM se bhI dUra rahane vAle Apa isa prakAra taiyAra kaise ho gae ?' ___mitra! jaba kala tuma yoginI ko sAkSAt dekha loge taba isa prazna kA uttara sahaja rUpase mila jaaegaa| puruSa kabhI bhI prakRti kI parachAIM se dUra raha nahIM sktaa| isa yoginI ke rUpa, svabhAva aura yauvana kA varNana karane kI zakti mujhameM nahIM hai, isalie lAcAra bana gayA huuN|' 'Apane eka bAta para vicAra kiyA hai ?' 414 vIra vikramAditya

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'kauna-sI bAta para ?' 'saMbhava hai yoginI gupta veza meM koI guptacara ho / ' 'kala usake nirmala aura saumya nayana dekhakara tuma hI nirNaya kara lenA / ' 'kintu upavana meM jAkara hama kareMge kyA ?' 'mitra ! yoginI ke sAtha bAteM karanI haiN| eka varSa se vaha pati kI khoja meM, yoginI kA veza banA, dara-dara ghUma rahI hai| ATha-dasa dinoM se vaha yahAM AyI huI hai| kucha hI dinoM pazcAt usake saMkalpa kI avadhi pUrI hone vAlI hai| isase pUrva vaha apane jIvanasAthI ko pAne ke lie prayatnazIla hai| usane mujhe pasaMda kiyA hai / ' 'vAha ! yaha to ajaba bAta hai / koI strI apane gumazudA pati ko DhUMDhane ke lie isa prakAra nikale, aisI ghaTanAeM bhUtakAla meM bahuta huI haiN| kintu jIvanasAthI kI Toha meM isa prakAra koI navayuvatI nikalI ho aisA maiMne nahIM sunaa|' 'mitra ! isa strI kA eka tapa hai aura vaha apane tapa meM aDiga hai|' kahakara yuvarAja yoginI ke rUpa-lAvaNya ke vicAroM meM kho gyaa| dUsare dina prAta:kAla rAjaghATa para tIna maMjiloM vAlI haMsanaukA khar3I thii| yuvarAja ke lie sabase Upara kI maMjila nizcita thI / usameM sukha-suvidhA kI sArI sAmagrI thii| dUsarI maMjila meM yuvarAja ke sAthI aura tIsarI meM dAsa-dAsiyoM ke lie vyavasthA thI / yathAsamaya yuvarAja aura usake mitra naukA meM baiTha ge| yuvarAja ne naukA ke mukhya cAlaka ko ekAnta meM bulAkara kahA - 'rUpanAtha ! hameM caMdanapura kI ora jAnA hai, kintu antima ghATa para naukA ko kucha samaya ke lie rokanA hai / ' 'jI' kahakara rUpanAtha ne mastaka jhukAyA / naukA gatimAna huI / aMtima ghATa para yuvarAja ne dekhA ki yoginI apanI eka paricArikA ke sAtha khar3I hai| yoginI kI bhagavA kaMthA sUrya kI kiraNoM meM camaka rahI hai, kyoMki vaha kaMthA kauzeya kI thii| yuvarAja ne apane mitra maMtrIputra se kahA- 'dekho, yoginI sAmane hI khar3I hai| pAsa meM usakI paricArikA hai|' maMtrIputra ne usa ora dekhA / dekhate hI usane socA- are ! yaha to koI zApabhraSTa devakanyA hI hai ! mAnavI meM itanA rUpa, lAvaNya aura teja mila hI nahIM sakatA / dhanya hai vidhAtA ke nirmANa ko ! naukA ghATa para rukI / yuvarAja UparI maMjila se nIce utare aura muskarAte hue bole- 'padhAro, devI!' vIra vikramAditya 415

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sAtha meM AyI huI paricArikA ke hAtha se eka choTI thailI lete hue yoginI ne use kucha saMketa diyaa| phira vaha maMda gati se sAvadhAnIpUrvaka naukA meM car3ha gii| usakI paricArikA mastaka jhukAkara eka ratha kI ora calI gii| maMtrIputra bhI apane khaMDa se nIce A gayA thaa| donoM mitroM ne yoginI kA svAgata kiyaa| yoginI ne AMkha ke izAre se yuvarAja se pUchA- 'ye kauna haiM?' yuvarAja ne apane mitra kA paricaya dete hue kahA-'hamAre rAjya ke mahAmaMtrI bhaTTamAtra ke suputra surabhadra haiN| ye mere priya mitra haiN|' yuvarAja ne naukA-cAlaka ko caMdanapura ke vanapradeza kI ora jAne kI AjJA dii| donoM mitra aura yoginI UparI khaMDa meM ge| naukA cala pdd'ii| yoginI eka ora khar3I raha gii| yuvarAja bole- 'Apa virAjeM.... 'yuvarAjazrI! aba isa viveka kA tyAga kreN|' 'Apake veza kI maryAdA....' 'oha ! aba isa maryAdA kA anta A gayA hai|' kahatI huI yoginI haMsa par3I aura eka Asana para baiTha gii| usake sAmane ke do AsanoM para devakumAra aura surabhadra donoM baiTha ge| thor3e kSaNa mauna chAyA rhaa| maMtrIputra animeSa nayanoM se yoginI ko dekha rahA thaa| yoginI ne madhura svaroM meM kahA-'Apa kyA dekha rahe haiM?' 'apane mitra kI psNdgii|' 'puruSa kI pasaMdagI se bhI strI kI pasaMdagI jyAdA mahattvapUrNa hotI hai|' kahate huI yoginI ne tirachI dRSTi se yuvarAja kI ora dekhaa| yuvarAja bole- 'devI! Apa...' bIca meM hI yoginI ne kahA-'kyA viveka kA baMdhana atyanta gAr3ha hotA hai?' 'nahIM, aisA kucha nahIM hai|' yuvarAja ne khaa| 'to phira ise chodd'eN| jahAM mana kA milApa hotA hai, mana praphulla banatA hai, vahAM viveka adhika gaMbhIra mAnA jAtA hai|' 'to phira tumheM kisa nAma se....?' yuvarAja ne prazna kiyaa| 'merA nAma mAlinI hai|' 'atyanta madhura nAma....vAstava meM Apa mAlatI puSpoM se bhI adhika suMdara aura komala haiN|' maMtrIputra bola utthaa| 'mujhe lagatA hai, Apane kAvyazAstra kA abhyAsa kiyA hai|' yoginI bolii| 416 vIra vikramAditya

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'saamaany|' surabhadra ne khaa| 'puruSa kA sAmAnya abhyAsa hI prasaMga ko prApta kara asAmAnya bana jAtA hai|' kahakara yoginI ne yuvarAja kI ora praznabharI dRSTi se dekhaa| yuvarAja ke mana meM paricaya prApta karane kI bAta nAca rahI thii| unhoMne kahA'mAlinI! pahale hama apane paricaya kA prazna samAhita kara leN|' 'paricaya jitanA mana se hotA hai, utanA vANI se nahIM hotaa|' mAlinI ne prasannatA se khaa| maMtrIputra bola par3A-'Apane bahuta acchI bAta kahI, phira bhI vANI mana kA eka vAhana to hai hI!' 'vANI mana kA vAhana hai to daMbha kA bhI vAhana hai| jo vANI svarga ke sukha taka pahuMcAtI hai, vahI naraka ke dvAra taka bhI le jAtI hai| aba hama cAra-pAMca dina sAtha hI rahane vAle haiN| mere mana kA paricaya Apako mila cukA hai, kintu Apake mitra yuvarAjazrI ke mana meM koI saMzaya na raha jAe, isIlie apanA yaha pravAsa ho rahA hai|' yoginI ne khaa| "devI ! mere mana meM koI zaMkA nahIM hai| pahalI hI dRSTi meM maiM tumhAre manobhAva ko jAna gayA hai| yuvarAja ne khaa| ___ 'maiM dhanya huii| Apa to jAnate hI haiM ki strI apane priyatama ke caraNoM meM apanA zarIra hI arpita nahIM karatI, vaha apanA mana, yauvana, rUpa, bhAvanA aura sukha-sabhI kA samarpaNa karatI hai| samarpaNa kI yaha dhArA Arya nArI ke prANoM meM hI prakaTa hotI hai aura nArI isa samarpaNa kA vinimaya nahIM krtii|' yoginI kI bAtoM meM yuvarAja apane-Apako vismRta kara cuke the| paraMtu surabhadra ne socA, mAlavadeza kI bhAvI mahArAnI hone kI yogyatA isa ramaNI meM haiN| itanI choTI umra meM koI navayauvanA itanI gaMbhIra, saumya aura samajhadAra ho hI nahIM sktii| naukA samAna gati se Age cala rahI thii| aparAhna ke samaya naukA candra upavana ke pAsa eka ghATa para phuNcii| yoginI, maMtrIputra aura yuvarAja-tInoM naukA se utarakara candra upavana kI ora jAne ke lie Age bddh'e| calate-calate yuvarAja ne yoginI kI ora dekhakara kahA-'Apako kucha dUra paidala calane meM kaSTa to nahIM hogA?' yoginI ne haMsate hue kahA- 'Apane mujhe komalAMgI mAna liyA hai?' surabhadra bolA- 'devI komalAMgI nahIM haiM, aisA kauna mAna sakatA hai?' vIra vikramAditya 417

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yoginI ke eka hAtha meM kamaMDalu thA aura dUsare hAtha meM thailI thii| vaha bolI'zarIra se, mana se nhiiN|' yuvarAja khilakhilAkara haMsa par3e aura haMsate-haMsate bole-'tuma nirbhaya ho, anyathA isa prakAra akelI kaise AtI?' __ "aise nhiiN| Apake pAsa yadi nArI nirbhaya nahIM hogI to phira kahAM hogI?' yoginI ne khaa| bAtoM-hI-bAtoM meM upavana A gyaa| tInoM usa upavana meM bane eka laghu bhavana meM ge| usake do khaMDa the| eka khaMDa meM yoginI kI vyavasthA kI gaI aura dUsare khaMDa meM donoM mitra tthhre| dAsa-dAsI vahAM A gae the| bhojana banA aura tInoM yathAsamaya bhojana kara nivRtta ho ge| yoginI ke khaMDa meM dIpamAlAeM jala uThIM aura tInoM alaga-alaga Asana para vahIM baiThakara bAteM karane lge| kucha aupacArika bAtoM ke pazcAt maMtrIputra apane Asana se uThate hue bolA-'mujhe pratIta hotA hai ki merI yahAM upasthiti Apa donoM ke mana meM saMkoca paidA kara rahI hai| maiM bAhara jA rahA huuN|' kahakara maMtrIputra kakSa se bAhara nikala gyaa| surabhadra ke bAhara jAte hI yuvarAja ne yoginI ko snehabharI dRSTi se dekhate hue pukArA-'priye!.....' 'kyA AjJA hai?' 'kyA vAstava meM hI tumane apanA mana mujhe samarpita kara DAlA hai?' 'kyA Apake mana meM koI saMzaya hai?' 'to phira isa veza kA parityAga kara do|' 'maiM Apake mana kI bhAvanA samajha gaI....kintu lagnavidhi se pUrva...?' 'oha!' kahakara yuvarAja mauna ho ge| donoM ne gaMdharva vivAha karane kA taya kiyaa| upavana se phUla maMgAe aura mAlinI ne svayaM do mAlAeM guuNthiiN| __ rAtri kA pahalA prahara pUrA ho, usase pUrva hI mAlinI apanA veza parivartana kara baiTha gii| maMtrIpatra ko gaMdharva vivAha ke samAcAra mile| vaha atyanta harSita ho utthaa| vaha vahAM aayaa| manamohinI ko dekhate hI usakA sira cakarAne lgaa| aisA rUpa! aisA teja! aisI yauvana-mAdhurI! oha ! bhAgya kA najArA! 418 vIra vikramAditya

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mAlinI ke rUpa meM manamohinI ne surabhadra kI upasthiti meM yuvarAja ke kaMThoM meM mAlA pahanAI aura yuvarAja ne mAlinI ke gale meM mAlA DAlI.... vivAha sampanna ho gyaa| aura manamohinI ne yaha spaSTa rUpa se prasthApita kara diyA ki vikramacaritra se strIcaritra mahAna hotA hai| cAra dina ke lie Ae hue tInoM chaha dina taka ruke| kintu manamohinI ko abhI bahuta kucha karanA thaa| sabase pahalA kArya to yaha thA ki vaha yahAM se binA kisI ko jJAta hue palAyana kara jAnA cAhatI thI, kyoMki jo yojanA usane banAI thI vaha pUrI ho cukI thii| chaha dinoM ke svAmI ke sAtha sahavAsa se vaha catura nArI samajha gaI thI ki vaha sagarbhA ho gaI hai| chaThI rAta meM manamohinI apanI jholI se ekatela jaisA tarala padArtha nikAla yuvarAja ke mastaka para malane lagI.. vikramacaritra kA mastaka manamohinI kI goda meM hI thA...usako yaha patA hI nahIM thA ki mAlinI tela nahIM mala rahI hai, kintu nidrA dilAne vAlI koI auSadhi mala rahI hai| kucha hI kSaNoM meM yuvarAja gaharI nIMda meM cale ge| surabhadra to pahale hI apane khaMDa meM jA so gayA thaa| rAtri ke tIsare prahara meM manamohinI ne apanI jholI se puruSa kA veza nikAlakara dhAraNa kara liyaa| usane apane dUsare vastra jholI meM rakha die| yuvarAja ne pahalI rAta meM use eka ratnahAra diyA thaa| usa hAra ko usane sAvadhAnI se jholI meM rakha liyaa| phira vaha jholI ko lekara khaMDa ke bAhara nikala gaI aura caMdanapura ke mArga para Age bar3hane lgii| prAta:kAla se pUrva vaha caMdanapura ke ghATa para A phuNcii| vahAM eka naukA meM baiThakara vaha avaMtI nagarI kI ora vidA huii| prAta:kAla huaa| maMtrIputra kucha pahale jAga gayA thaa| yuvarAja abhI bhI gaharI nIMda meM the| ve vilamba se utthe| mAlinI vahAM nahIM thii| kucha pratIkSA ke pazcAt bhI vaha nahIM AyI, taba cAroM ora usakI khoja hone lgii| mAlinI ko na pAkara yuvarAja vyathita ho ge| khoja ho rahI thii| yuvarAja ne dekhA ki yoginI kA veza aura kamaMDalu eka kone meM par3e haiN| yuvarAja bole- 'vaha apane mUla veza meM hI gaI hai|' do azvArohI rakSaka tatkAla caMdanapura kI ora ge| vahAM donoM ne pUrI chAnabIna kii| mAlinI kA koI atA-patA nahIM lgaa| yuvarAja ko yaha jJAta nahIM thA ki mohinI gupta-rUpa se apane pitRgRha meM sakuzala pahuMca gaI hai| vIra vikramAditya 416

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manamohinI ko puruSa-veza meM dekhakara mAtA cauMka par3I, para tatkAla usane mohinI ko pahacAna liyaa| ___ mohinI ne kahA- 'mAM! merA kArya pUrA ho gayA hai| Aja rAta ko bhUgarbha mArga se calI jaauuNgii| mere zvasura vikrama ne jo nizAnI mujhe pahale dI thI, vaha Apake pAsa hai hii| yaha ratnahAra bhI Apa saMbhAlakara rkheN|' kahatI huI mohinI ne ratnahAra mAM ko sauMpa diyaa| pitAjI bhI dUkAna se ghara A gae the| mohinI ne saMkSepa meM apanI kahAnI unheM sunaaii| mAtA-pitA donoM harSapraphulla bana gae aura mana-hI-mana apanI putrI kI buddhi ko sarAhane lge| aura rAtri ke prathama prahara ke pazcAt manamohinI gupta mArga se bhUgarbha-kArAgAra meM calI gii| 75. vijayinI yuvarAja aura surabhadra pUrNa nirAza ho cuke the| cAra dina aura ve usa candra upavana meM tthhre| priyatamA kI khoja kI, para unheM nirAzA hI hAtha lgii| anta meM thakakara donoM mitra nirAzA ke bhAra se bhArI hokara naukA meM ArUr3ha hue aura naukA avaMtI kI ora gatimAna hii| yuvarAja kA mana vikala ho cukA thaa| sirpha chaha dinoM kA yaha paricaya aura chaha dinoM kI rasabharI mastI....kintu yuvarAja ke hRdaya meM yaha choTI smRti aMkita ho cukI thii| naukA una donoM ko lekara avaMtI ke rAjaghATa para phuNcii| surabhadra apane ghara gayA aura yuvarAja rAjabhavana meM aae| dina bItane lge| manamohinI ke garbha kA cauthA mahInA cala rahA thaa| vaha atyanta prasanna aura svastha thii| bIca meM eka bAra mahArAjA vIra vikrama bhI vahAM Ae the aura vAtAyana kI jAlI se unhoMne kahA thA- 'putrI ! tuma yadi apanI parAjaya svIkAra kara lo to maiM tumheM mukta kara sakatA huuN| mujhe tumhAre prati karuNA AtI hai|' 'mahArAja! maiM apane nizcaya para aTala huuN| vijaya ke prakAza meM aThakheliyAM karane vAlA merA hRdaya kisI se karuNA kI bhIkha nahIM caahtaa|' vIra vikrama haMse aura cale ge| manamohinI bhI muskarA dii| 420 vIra vikramAditya

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yuvarAja devakumAra rAjakArya meM vyasta ho gae aura mAlinI ke sahavAsa ke kSaNoM ko apane mana ke eka kone meM dabAkara svastha hue| manamohinI zAMtipUrvaka samaya bitA rahI thii| yadA-kadA mAtA-pitA bhI milane A jAte the aura unhoMne yaha nizcaya kara liyA thA ki jaba mohinI nauveM mAsa meM praveza karegI taba use bhavana meM le jAnA hai| aisA hI huaa| jaba mohinI ne nauveM mAsa meM praveza kiyA taba usakI sakhI sadRza priyadAsI subhadrA bhUgarbhagRha meM A gii| manamohinI ne use sArI bAta batAte hue samajhAyA ki use kisa prakAra se abhinaya karanA hai| sakhI samajha gii| manamohinI pitRgRha meM calI gii| nau mAsa aura dasa dina biite| manamohinI ne eka sundara, svastha aura tejasvI putraratna kA prasava kiyaa| savA mAsa pUrA huaa| manamohinI svastha, sundara bAlaka ke sAtha prasUtigRha se bAhara nikalI aura pUrvayojanA ke anusAra rAtri meM apane priya bAlaka ko lekara bhUgarbhagRha meM calI gii| usakI dAsI vahAM se bhavana meM A gii| rAtrikAla to AnandapUrvaka bIta gayA, kintu prAta:kAla jaba kArAgAra kI rakSikA nandA usa khir3akI ke pAsa AyI taba manamohinI kI goda meM bAlaka ro rahA thaa| bacce ke rone kI AvAja sunakara naMdA cauNkii| 'are, devI ! bAlaka kA rudana kahAM se A rahA hai?' 'yahIM se A rahA hai|' 'kintu yahAM bAlaka kaise A gayA?' manamohinI jora se haMsa pdd'ii| vaha bolI- 'pagalI! bhAgyadevatA jaba prasanna hote haiM taba anahonI bhI honI ho jAtI hai| yaha merA putra hai| cintA mata krnaa|' naMdA avAka raha gii| vaha sAre kAma chor3akara sIdhI rAjabhavana phuNcii| mahArAja ne naMdA ko dekhakara pUchA-'naMdA ! kyA huA?' 'kRpAnAtha! aghaTita ghaTita huA hai|' 'kyA manamohinI ne AtmahatyA kara lI?' 'nahIM, kRpAnAtha! jahAM eka cir3iyA bhI praveza nahIM pA sakatI vhaaN....|' 'kyA hai vahAM? kahate kyoM hicaka rahI hai?' 'kintu kRpAnAtha! mujhe kSamA kreN| maiM kSaNabhara ke lie bhI asAvaceta nahIM rhii|' 'kintu huA kyA hai?' vIra vikramAditya 421

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'manamohinI devI kI goda meM eka zizu hai|' 'zizu?' 'hAM, putra hai| vaha kahatI hai ki mere para bhAgyadevatA prasanna hue haiN|' 'bhAgyadevatA? kabhI nahIM ho sktaa....|' 'kRpAnAtha! maiMne apanI AMkhoM se dekhA hai|' 'tujhe bhrama huA hogA? 'nahIM, bhrama nhiiN| maiM saca kahatI haiN|' vIra vikrama do kSaNa mauna rahe, phira bole-'tU vahAM pahuMca jaa| maiM abhI A rahA huuN|' dAsI mastaka jhukAkara vidA ho gii| vIra vikrama ne ajaya ko ratha taiyAra karane kI AjJA dii| ardha ghaTikA ke pazcAt vIra vikrama ajaya ko lekara ziprAtaTa ke upavana kI ora cle| unake mana meM bhArI uthala-puthala ho rahI thii| bhUgarbhagRha meM se koI na bAhara A sakatA hai aura na bhItara jA sakatA hai, to phira manamohinI kI goda meM bAlaka AyA kahAM se? aura yaha bAlaka yuvarAja kA kaise ho sakatA hai? aise aneka praznoM ke bIca vIra vikrama kA mana ulajha gyaa| stha bhUgarbhagRha ke pAsa Akara rukaa| stha kI AvAja sunakara manamohinI prasanna huii| naMdA bhI A gii| vIra vikrama ne kahA- 'naMdA ! bAlaka ke rone kI AvAja to sunAI nahIM detii|' "saMbhava hai, bAlaka so gayA hogaa|' 'hUM!' kahakara mahArAja ne tAlA kholaa| sopAna zreNI pAra kara nIce utre| bhUgarbhagRha meM utarate hI ve staMbhita raha ge| manamohinI donoM hAtha jor3e sAmane khar3I thii| vIra vikrama ko Azcaryamagna dekhakara bolI-'pitAjI! apane pautra ko nihAreMsundara, tejasvI aura caMcala bhI hai|' ina zabdoM ne mAno vikrama ke gAla para tamAcA mArA ho, aisA lgaa| unhoMne apanI putravadhU kI ora dekhakara kahA- 'merA pautra ?' 'maiMne ApakI zarta kA pAlana kiyA hai!' 'kintu yaha kaise ho sakatA hai?' 'yaha prazna mere sAmane na kreN| Apa apane putra se pUche / maiM apane kArya meM saphala huI huuN| aba Apa merA aura apane pautra kA harSapUrvaka svAgata kreN|' 'manamohinI! isa bhUgarbhagRha meM eka cir3iyA bhI A-jA nahIM sakatI aura tuma yahAM ho, yaha bAta vikramacaritra bhI nahIM jaantaa|' 422 vIra vikramAditya

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'jahAM eka cir3iyA bhI praveza nahIM pA sakatI, vahAM ApakA yaha pautra A sakA hai, yaha Apake pratyakSa hai| Apake putra jAnate haiM yA nahIM, yaha Apa unase puuche| maiMne ApakI kaThora zarta pUrI kI hai| saMsAra meM nArI kI buddhi ko koI nahIM pahuMca sakA, yaha eka nagna satya hai, yaha Apake samakSa hai|' manamohinI ne svastha svaroM meM khaa| vIra vikrama mauna rhe| unhoMne sUkSmatA se pUre kakSa kA nirIkSaNa kiyaa| kahIM kucha gar3abar3I nahIM dikhii| phira prazna uThA-manamohinI ko bAlaka milA kaise? manamohinI ne madhura svaroM meM kahA-'kRpAnAtha! ApakI yuvarAjJI kA gaurava ApakA gaurava hai| Apa mujhe sAtha meM le jAeM aura phira putra ko bulAkara sahI sthiti jAna leN|' vIra vikrama lAcAra ho cuke the| ve bole-'manamohinI! yadi tumhArA yaha putra anyAyapUrNa hogA to maiM usI samaya tumhArA vadha kara duuNgaa|' _ 'aise zabda kahane kA Apako abhI koI adhikAra nahIM hai| abhI to eka pitA jaise apanI putrI ko AzIrvAda detA hai, vaise hI Apako AzIrvAda denA caahie| yaha putra anyAyapUrNa hai, aisI kalpanA bhI Apako nahIM AnI caahie| lagabhaga pandraha mahIne bIte haiN| maiMne isa kArAgAra meM kaThora tapasyA kI hai|' vIra vikrama manamohinI ke tejasvI mukha kI ora do kSaNa dekhate rahe aura anta meM eka parAjita yoddhA kI taraha bole- 'beTI! yadi tumhArI bAta satya hogI to maiM atyanta Anandita houuNgaa| calo mere saath....|' manamohinI ne nidrAdhIna putra ko jhUle se uThA liyaa| vIra vikrama ne bAhara Akara ajaya ko pukArA....manamohinI ratha meM baiTha gii| vIra vikrama ne naMdA se kahA- 'kArAgAra kA dvAra banda kara denA aura tU yahIM rhnaa|' 'jii|' kahakara naMdA ne sira jhukaayaa| vIra vikrama ratha para cddh'e| ratha rAjabhavana kI ora claa| vIra vikrama ke mana meM aneka prazna ubhara rahe the-yaha eka azakya bAta hai| devakumAra manamohinI se kisI bhI prakAra se mila nahIM sakatA, para manamohinI kI goda meM bAlaka hai, kintu yaha bAlaka to eka mahIne se adhika kA hai| kyA dAsiyoM ne isase pUrva bAlaka kA rudana kabhI nahIM sunA? kyA naMdA ne Aja hI rudana sunA hai? yaha bhI to eka Azcarya hI hai| usa kArAgRha meM yaha kaise ghaTita huA? manamohinI ke kathana ke anusAra yaha bAlaka yuvarAja kA hai| manamohinI ke cehare para koI duSTatA nhiiN| yadi manamohinI kI bAta saca hai to nizcita hI yaha vijayinI huI hai| yaha ajor3a hai-buddhi meM, caritra meM aura gaurava meN| vIra vikramAditya 423

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ratha rAjabhavana para pahuMca gayA / vIra vikrama ne manamohinI kI ora dekhakara kahA- 'beTI ! kyA cAdara sAtha lAyI ho ? mRdu 'jI, maiMne apanI cAdara sAtha meM hI rakhI hai|' manamohinI ne uttara diyA / svaroM meM ratha rAjabhavana ke pichale hisse meM jA rukaa| vIra vikrama manamohinI ko lekara apane nijI kakSa meM gae aura eka Asana kI ora saMketa karate hue bole- 'beTI ! tuma yahAM baiTha jAo, phira nizcintatA se bAta kaho / ' 'merI bAta atyanta spaSTa hai / yaha bAlaka ApakA pautra hai| ApakI zarta pUrI kara maiMne yaha siddha kara diyA hai ki saMsAra meM strI caritra apUrva hotA hai| isa viSaya meM Apako kucha pUchanA ho to pUcheM / ' do kSaNa socakara vikrama bole- 'manamohinI ! tumhArI bAta saca ho sakatI hai, para maiM kaise mAnUM ?' 'Apa eka kArya kreN| yuvarAjazrI, yuvarAjazrI kI mAtuzrI, unake mitra maMtrI putra aura mere mAtA-pitA ko yahAM bulA leM / ' 'ina sabakI kyA jarUrata hai? akele yuvarAja ko bulAne se kAma nahIM cala sakatA ?' 'Apa yadi mere kathana ko mAna sakate haiM to kisI ko bulAne kI AvazyakatA nahIM, kintu merI saccAI ke jo-jo sAkSI haiM, unako hI bulAne ke lie maiMne kahA hai|' vikrama ne ajaya ko bhejakara sabako bulA liyA / lagabhaga tIna ghaTikA ke bAda kamalArAnI, devI sukumArI, kalAvatI aura devI lakSmIvatI A phuNciiN| sudaMta seTha bhI seThAnI ke sAtha rAjabhavana meM A gye| yuvarAja apane mitra surabhadra ke sAtha A gye| manamohinI ke kahane se eka pAlanA A gyaa| usameM usane apane putra ko sulA diyA aura svayaM cAdara kA ghUMghaTa nikAlakara pAlane ke pAsa baiTha gii| sabhI ke mana meM vividha prazna ubhara rahe the| vIra vikrama apane Asana para baiThe-baiThe sabakI ora dekhakara bole- 'Apa sabako Azcarya hogA ki yaha yuvatI kauna hai ? Apake samakSa maiM mAtA-putra ko kyoM prastuta karanA cAhatA hUM ? savA- Der3ha varSa pUrva kI ghaTanA hai, maiMne usako gupta rakhA thaa| vikramacaritra ke samakSa strI - caritra nagaNya hai, yaha bAta devakumAra ne apane 424 vIra vikramAditya

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buddhibala se prasthApita kI thI, kintu manamohinI ne isa bAta ko nakArA aura apanI bAta pramANita karane kA bIr3A utthaayaa| maiMne usakI zarta svIkAra kara lI aura isane merii| mAtA-pitA kI sahamati se maiMne yuvarAja ke khaDga ke sAtha isakA vivAha gupta-rUpa meM sampanna kiyaa| isa bAta kI khabara yuvarAja ko bhI nahIM lgii| ekAdha varSa pUrva maiMne yaha rahasya yuvarAja ko batAyA, kintu vivAha ke tatkAla bAda hI maiMne manamohinI ko eka aise bhUgRha meM rakhA jahAM eka cir3iyA bhI nahIM A-jA sktii| merI zarta thI ki yadi usakI goda meM merA pautra krIr3A karatA hogA, to maiM usako mukta kara dUMgA aura use yuvarAjJI ke pada-gaurava se vibhUSita kruuNgaa| Aja prAta: mujhe yaha saMvAda milA ki manamohinI kI goda meM putra poSita ho rahA hai| maiM kArAgAra meM gyaa| manamohinI ne apane putra ko mere pautra ke rUpa meM prastuta kiyaa| usakI yaha bAta kitanI yathArtha hai, isakI jAnakArI to yuvarAja ke zabdoM se hI ho sakatI hai|' yuvarAja ne dhUMghaTa nikAle baiThI huI manamohinI kI ora lAla-lAla netroM se dekhakara kahA-'pitAjI! yaha nArI asatya bAta kahate kyoM nahIM sakucAtI? mere khaDga ke sAtha pariNItA isa nArI ko maiMne kabhI nahIM dekhaa| yaha kahAM thI, isakI bhI mujhe jAnakArI nahIM thii| maiMne ise svapna meM bhI kabhI nahIM dekhaa|' bUMghaTa meM muMha chipAe baiThI manamohinI mana-hI-mana haMsane lgii| sukumArI, kamalArAnI, kalAvatI Adi sabhI avaakthe| surabhadra bhI kisI dUsarI duniyA meM vicaraNa karane lagA thaa| vIra vikrama ne manamohinI kI ora dRSTi kara kahA- 'manamohinI! yuvarAja kI bAta sunI?' 'hAM, Apake putra asatya kyoM kahate haiM, maiM samajha nahIM skii| ve svapna meM bhI mujhasena milane kI bAta kaha rahe haiM, kintu mere svAmI mujhase mile the, usakA jIvanta sAkSI hai yaha putra!' bIca meM hI yuvarAja Asana se uThakara bole- 'mahArAja! yaha strI bhayaMkara jhUTha bola rahI hai| manamohinI kA yaha bhI eka strIcaritra hai, para mere Age strIcaritra kI koI kImata nhiiN|' ___ 'mahArAja! Apa apane putra ko zAMta baiThe rahane kI AjJA kreN| Aveza meM kucha nahIM hotaa| maiM strIcaritra se kahAM inakAra karatI hUM? vikramacaritra se bhI strIcaritra lAkha gunA vizeSa hotA hai, yaha bAta siddha karane ke lie hI to mujhe yaha saba karanA par3A hai| maiMne apanA pAtivrata dharma surakSita rakhA hai| yaha baccA mere svAmI kA hI hai| maiM apane svAmI se prArthanA karatI hUM ki ve mujhe svIkAra kareM anyathA mujhe sabake samakSa unheM yAda dilAnI hogii|' vIra vikramAditya 425

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yuvarAja zAnta baiTha ge| unakA muMha krodha se tamatamA utthaa| vIra vikrama bole- 'putra! Aveza ko zAMta kro| kucha yAda karo...' 'kintu maiM kaise smRti karUM? isa strI kA muMha bhI maiMne Aja taka nahIM dekhaa|' akulAhaTabhare svaroM meM yuvarAja bole|| ___ aura sabakI dRSTi manamohinI kI ora sthira ho gii| manamohinI ne apanI mAtA kI ora hAtha laMbA kara kahA-'mAM! merI vastueM lAyI ho?' 'haaN|' kahakara mAM ne choTI peTI beTI ke pAsa rakha dii| manamohinI ne usa peTI se eka mudrikA nikAla mahArAja ke samakSa rakhate hue kahA- 'maiM Apake putra kI patnI hUM, isa bAta kI sAkSI to Apa svayaM haiM aura yaha mudrikA hai|' 'yaha saca hai|' vikrama ne khaa| manamohinI ne phira peTI se ratnahAra bAhara nikAlakara vikrama ko dete hue kahA-'pitAjI! yuvarAja jaba pahalI bAra mujhase mile the taba yaha hAra mujhe diyA thaa| Apa inase puuche|' vikrama ne yuvarAja se kahA- 'kyA tuma isa hAra ko pahacAnate ho?' devakumAra ne hAra apane hAtha meM liyA aura use do kSaNa nihArakara kahA'pitAjI! ratnahAra to merA hI hai, kintu maiMne yaha hAra manamohinI ko kabhI nahIM diyaa|' tatkAla manamohinI bolI- 'kyA Apane yaha hAra apanI patnI ko nahIM diyA thA?' yuvarAja vicAramagna ho ge| manamohinI bolI-'svAmI! yAda kareM / eka dina Apa bhojana karane ke lie zvasuragRha meM padhAre the| zvasuragRha ke nikaTa eka makAna meM eka navayauvanA yoginI AyI thI.....' yuvarAja tatkAla bola uThe-'isa bAta ko yAda karane se tumheM kyA prayojana hai ? yaha hAra tumhAre pAsa kaise AyA?' 'maiM vahI yoginI huuN| Apa yoginI ke rUpajAla meM phaMsa ge| dUsare hI dina Apa yoginI ke sAtha candra upavana meM paribhramaNa karane ge| vahAM yoginI ne apanA bhagavA veza utAra ddaalaa| usakA nAma mAlinI thaa| kucha smRti haI?' 'oha! kintu maiMne tumheM yaha hAra kadApi nahIM diyaa| maiM apanI talavAra kI zapatha...' 426 vIra vikramAditya

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bIca meM hI manamohinI bola par3I-'are! zapatha na le, anyathA Apako prAyazcitta karanA hogaa| dekheM, Apane mujhe yaha ratnahAra diyA yA nahIM?' kahatI huI manamohinI ne apane cUMghaTa ko UMcA kara diyaa| yuvarAja tatkAla bola uThe- 'mAlinI....' 'yaha merA gupta nAma thaa| merA yathArtha nAma hai mnmohinii| strIcaritra kI bejor3atA siddha karane ke lie hI mujhe yaha saba karanA pdd'aa|' / yuvarAja lajjA kA anubhava karane lge| surabhadra ko bhI yathArthatA ke darzana ho ge| sArA vAtAvaraNa badala gyaa| manamohinI ne vIra vikrama ko sArI ghaTanA btaaii| vIra vikrama manamohinI kI buddhi para Azcaryacakita raha ge| sAre deza meM pautra-prApti kA utsava manAyA gyaa| jaba yuvarAja zayanAgAra meM gae taba rAtri kA dUsarA prahara pUrA ho rahA thaa| zayanAgAra meM caraNa rakhate hI vaha cauMkA / manamohinI saja-dhajakara pati kI pratIkSA meM baiThI thii| zizu pAlane meM so rahA thaa| donoM eka Asana para baiThe aura pUrva ghaTita ghaTanAoM ko sunate-sunAte rhe| kucha samaya pazcAt yuvarAja ne patnI ko apanI ora khIMcanA caahaa| usa samaya pAlane meM soyA huA zizu ro pdd'aa| ___ manamohinI acAnaka khar3I huI aura yuvarAja bolA- 'usa dina Apane yoginI ke veza kI maryAdA kA pAlana kiyA thaa| aba Apako eka mAtA kI maryAdA kI surakSA karanI hai|' vaha pAlane ke pAsa calI gii| yuvarAja prasanna dRSTi se priyatamA kI ora dekhane lge| usI kSaNa mAM ne zizu ko pitA kI goda meM lAkara rakha diyaa| 76. cAra ratna avaMtI nagarI meM zrIdhara nAma kA eka brAhmaNa rahatA thaa| usake chaha kanyAeM aura eka lar3akA thaa| vaha atyanta daridra thaa| mAlavanAtha kI rAjadhAnI meM aisA daridra ! kintu zrIdhara ke karma kA doSa ati prabala thaa| vIra vikrama ne isa garIba brAhmaNa ko aneka bAra dAna meM svarNa Adi diyA thA, kintu zrIdhara ke pAsa vaha TikatA nahIM thaa| kabhI vaha dUsaroM ko de detA aura kabhI vaha kho jaataa| karma kA prabhAva vicitra hotA hai| vIra vikramAditya 427

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aisA cAra-pAMca bAra hone ke pazcAt zrIdhara ne yaha nizcaya kara liyA thA ki mere bhAgya meM dhana hai hI nahIM, isalie bhikSAvRtti se hI kAma calAnA zreyaskara hai| saMsAra meM koI bhI prANI daridratA nahIM caahtaa| sabhI vyakti sukha kA svapna lete haiN| kintu zrIdhara isameM apavAda thaa| kyoMki jo dhana use milatA, vaha mAtra eka rAta usake pAsa TikatA thA / eka dina brAhmaNI bolI- 'aba to rAta ko nIMda bhI nahIM aatii| tIna-tIna lar3akiyAM byAhane yogya ho gaI haiN| unake lie yogya vara kI khoja karanI caahie|' 'maiM saba samajhatA hUM, kintu karUM kyA ? hamArI garIbI aisI hai ki koI bhI hamArI kanyA lene ke lie taiyAra nahIM hotaa|' 'phira bhI koI-na-koI mArga to DhUMDhanA hI hogaa| Apa to bar3e paMDita haiN| aneka vidyAeM jAnate haiN| eka bAra Apane kahA thA ki mere pAsa 'sAgaradeva' ko prasanna karane kA maMtra hai| Apa usakA prayoga kyoM nahIM karate ?' 'isake lie mujhe ATha-dasa mahIne ghara se dUra rahanA hogaa| mere binA parivAra kA poSaNa kauna karegA ?' 'Apa sAhasa kreN| maiM yaha bhAra apane Upara letI huuN| maiM pAMca-dasa gharoM meM bhikSA ke lie jAUMgI aura kAma calA luuNgii|' 'kyA tuma bhIkha mAMgogI ?' 'hAM, isameM lajjA kI kyA bAta hai ?' yojanA taya ho gaI aura pAMca-sAta dina pazcAt zrIdhara sAgarataTa para jAne ke lie nikala par3A / do mAsa kA pravAsa thA / vaha sAgarataTa para pahuMca gayA / vaha ekAnta meM apanA Asana bichA baiTha gyaa| usane sAgaradeva kI ArAdhanA prAraMbha kara dii| eka dina, do dina, cAra dina, chaha dina bIta gae / kSudhA-pyAsa ke paritApa kI paravAha kie binA vaha ArAdhanA meM aDola baiThA rahA / sAtaveM dina rAtri ke dUsare prahara meM sAgaradeva sAkSAt upasthita hokara bole -'zrIdhara! maiM sAgaradeva huuN| terI ArAdhanA se prasanna huuN| jo tujhe cAhie, vaha mAMga le / ' 'kRpAnAtha! Aja maiM dhanya huaa| maiM aura kucha nahIM cAhatA, dUra ho, aisA upAya kareM / ' merI daridratA 'vatsa ! tere karma bahuta prabala haiN| tere bhAgya meM dhana hai hI nahIM, phira bhI maiM tujhe cAra ratna detA huuN| tU ina ratnoM ko mere mitratulya vIra vikrama ko de denA / tere bhAgya meM jo hogA, vaha vIra vikrama se mila jaaegaa|' 428 vIra vikramAditya

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'kRpAnAtha ! ina ratnoM kA prabhAva kyA hai ?' 'suna ! isa lAla ratna se icchita vastuoM kI prApti hotI hai| isa nIle ratna ke prabhAva se vAMchita bhojana prApta hotA hai| isa pIle ratna ke prabhAva se vastra - AbhUSaNa prApta hote haiM aura zveta ratna ke prabhAva se roga naSTa hote haiN| ye cAroM ratna tU vIra vikrama ko de denA / ' zrIdhara apanI sAdhanA kI saphalatA para atyanta Anandita huA aura vaha apane gAMva kI ora cala pdd'aa| do mahIne ke laMbe pravAsa ke pazcAt vaha avaMtI phuNcaa| patnI ko ratnoM kI bAta btaaii| patnI ne kahA- 'rAjA ko dene parIkSA to kara leM / ' brAhmaNa ko yaha vicAra acchA lgaa| vaha eka kamare meM gayA aura dvAra baMda kara eka Asana para baitthaa| nIle ratna ko sAmane rakhakara bhojana-sAmagrI kI icchA kii| usI kSaNa miThAI se bhare tIna bartana vahAM A ge| pIle ratna ko namaskAra kara usane vastra aura AbhUSaNa kI icchA kii| dUsare hI kSaNa svayaM ke lie, patnI ke lie tathA sAtoM saMtAnoM ke lie do-do yugala vastra aura eka-eka svarNa kI kaMThI A gaI / pUrva inakI zrIdhara ne socA, 'aba ina ratnoM ko pAsa meM nahIM rakhanA caahie| kahIM atilobha se aura kucha ghaTita na ho jAe / ' vaha ratna arpita karane ke lie rAjasabhA kI ora cala pdd'aa| zrIdhara rAjasabhA meM A phuNcaa| usane vIra vikrama se kahA- 'kRpAnAtha ! maiMne apanI daridratA ko miTAne ke lie sAgaradeva kI ArAdhanA kii| unhoMne mujhe cAra ratna dete hue kahAye ratna tU vIra vikrama ko de denA / ve terI daridratA dUra kara deNge|' zrIdhara ne cAroM ratna vIra vikrama ko dete hue unake prabhAva kA varNana kiyA / yaha sunakara sArI sabhA Azcaryacakita raha gaI / vIra vikrama ne kahA - 'paMDitajI ! puruSArtha ApakA, sAdhanA ApakI aura phala bhI Apako milA hai, to bhalA maiM ye ratna kaise le sakatA hUM ?' 'kRpAnAtha ! sAgaradeva Apake mitra haiN| unakI AjJA kA pAlana karanA merA karttavya hai| aise mahAn prabhAvaka ratna mere jaise daridra brAhmaNa ke pAsa zobhA nahIM dete| Apa hI inako rakheM / ' 'acchA, paMDitajI ! Apa inameM se koI bhI eka ratna apane pAsa rakha leM / ' 'kRpAnAtha! maiM sAgaradeva kI AjJA kA ullaMghana kaise kara sakatA hUM?' 'paMDitajI ! aba ye ratna mere apane ho ge| maiM eka ratna Apako denA cAhatA hUM, isalie yaha sAgaradeva kI AjJA kA ullaMghana nahIM mAnA jA sktaa|' vIra vikramAditya 426 -

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'kRpAnAtha! to maiM gharavAlI ko pUchakara hI nirNaya kruuNgaa|' zrIdhara ratha meM baiThakara ghara gyaa| TUTe-phUTe jhoMpar3e ke pAsa ratha rukaa| paMDita ratha se nIce utarA / ghara meM gyaa| sabhI bAlaka naye vastroM meM zobhita ho rahe the| aura patnI! mAno Aja hI pariNIta hokara ghara AyI ho, aisI navavadhU-sI laga rahI thii| zrIdhara ne sArI bAta khii| ratnoM kI pasaMdagI ke viSaya meM mAM aura beTiyoM ke bIca vivAda prAraMbha ho gyaa| zrIdhara binA kisI nizcaya para pahuMce ratha meM baiThakara sIdhA rAjabhavana A gyaa| vaha vIra vikrama se bolA- 'kRpAnAtha! cAroM ratna Apa hI rakheM, kyoMki ratnoM kI pasaMdagI ke viSaya meM gharavAloM meM vivAda prArambha ho gayA hai| lar3akiyAM jo cAhatI haiM, vaha mAM nahIM cAhatI aura jo mAM cAhatI hai vaha lar3akiyAM nahIM caahtii|' vIra vikrama haMsa pdd'e| ve bole- 'paMDitajI! cAroM ratna Apa hI rkheN| maiM Apako eka sundara makAna, dasa gAMva, do hajAra svarNa mudrAeM, eka kheta, do baila Adi sAdhana upalabdha karA detA huuN| Apa sukhapUrvaka raheM aura cAroM ratnoM kI surakSA kreN| inakA sadupayoga kreN| puNya se pApa dUra bhAga jAtA hai, phira bhI kisI prakAra kI vipatti Ae to mujhe yAda krnaa|' zrIdhara ratnoM ko lekara ghara A gyaa| 77. puSpasenA rAjasabhA prAraMbha huii| usa samaya eka paradezI vyakti vIra vikrama ko upahAra bheMTa karate hue bolA- 'kRpAnAtha! pATaliputra kI zreSTha navayauvanA aura rUpavatI gaNikA puSpasenA avaMtI meM AyI huI hai| vaha copar3a khelane meM niSNAta hai| usane yaha praNa liyA hai ki jo bhI vyakti usako 'copar3a' ke khela meM parAjita karegA, vaha jIvana bhara usakI dAsI banakara rhegii| ina do varSoM meM pATaliputra meM ise koI nahIM jIta skaa| isane parAjita eka sau bayAlIsa vyaktiyoM ko zarta ke anusAra apanA dAsa banAkara rakhA hai| inameM dasa rAjakumAra, do subhaTa aura bIsa zreSThI haiN| aneka paradezI bhI haiN|' bIca meM hI mahAmaMtrI ne pUchA- 'puSpasenA kI zarta kyA hai?' _ 'copar3a kI tIna bAjiyAM hoNgii| jo do meM jIta jAegA, vaha vijita hogaa| yadi puSpasenA do bAjiyAM hAra jAegI to vaha usa vijetA ke caraNoM meM sarvasva arpaNa kara dAsI banakara rhegii|' 430 vIra vikramAditya

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'devI puSpasenA ke pAsa kitanI sampatti hai ?' maMtrI ne pUchA / 'sAta koTi suvarNa kI saMpatti hai| puSpasenA Apake nagara meM apane bhAgya kI parIkSA karanA cAhatI hai, ApakI AjJA ho to !' vIra vikrama ne usa paradezI se kahA- 'tuma madhyAhna ke pazcAt puSpasenA ko lekara rAjabhavana meM aanaa| maiM usake sAtha bAta kara luuNgaa|' paradezI ne mastaka jhukAkara prasannatA vyakta kI / usI dina madhyAhna ke samaya sundarI puSpasenA rAjabhavana meM A gii| mahArAjA vikrama apane khaMDa meM baiThe the| ajaya ne puSpasenA ke Agamana kI bAta khii| vIra vikrama ne kahA- 'use yahAM le aao|' puSpasenA vikrama ke khaMDa meM gii| vahAM baiThe hue do maMtrI use dekhakara avAk raha gae - are, yaha koI rAjarAnI to nahIM hai ? isakA tejasvI rUpa, kAmaNagAre nayana, saumya vadana, mUlyavAn AbhUSaNa isako devAMganA kA rUpa de rahe haiN| kyA yaha vAstava gaNikA hai yA zApabhraSTa koI apsarA hai ?' puSpasenA ne mahArAjA ko namaskAra kiyA aura saMkucita hokara eka Asana para baiTha gaI / vikrama ne pUchA - 'puSpasenA ! isa kaThora zarta sahita copar3a khelane ke pIche tumhArA uddezya kyA hai ?' 'kRpAnAtha ! dUsarA koI uddezya nahIM hai| maiM suyogya sAthI kI khoja karane ke lie prayatna kara rahI huuN|' puSpasenA ne madhura svaroM meM kahA / 'isa prayatna meM suyogya sAthI kaise prApta ho sakatA hai ? saMbhava hai koI madyapI, hatyArA yA asaMskArI vyakti tumheM parAjita kara de| koI vRddha hI jIta jAe ?' 'hAM, ye sArI saMbhAvanAeM haiN| jindagI ke jue meM itanA khatarA to uThAnA hI par3atA hai / ' vIra vikrama ne do kSaNa socakara kahA - 'beTI ! yaha kArya to khatare se khAlI nahIM hai| phira bhI tumhArI prabala icchA ke kAraNa maiM tumheM AjJA detA huuN| tuma isa viSaya kI ghoSaNA nagara meM karA denA / ' sArI nagarI meM paTahavAdakoM ke dvArA yaha ghoSaNA karA dI gaI / logoM meM bhinna-bhinna prakAra kI carcAeM hone lgiiN| eka ora sAta koTi svarNa aura puSpasenA kI prApti kA AkarSaNa thA to dUsarI ora jIvana bhara dAsa banakara rahane kA khatarA bhI thA, isalie loga puSpasenA ke sAtha dAMva khelane meM hicakicAte the / vIra vikramAditya 431

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zrImAla kA rAjakumAra ratnasiMha pandraha dinoM se avaMtI meM hI thaa| usane puSpasenA kI yaha ghoSaNA sunI aura usake mana meM puSpasenA ko pAne kI lAlasA jAga utthii| usane pahale puSpasenA ko dekhane kA nizcaya kara liyaa| pAMca dina ke pazcAt ratnasiMha apane sAthI ke sAtha puSpasenA ke bhavana meM praviSTa huaa| puSpasenA kI eka taruNa paricArikA ne unakA bhAvapUrvaka svAgata kiyA aura donoM ko eka sajjita kakSa meM bitthaayaa| eka dUsarI paricArikA maireya ke do pAtra le AyI aura donoM ko detI huI bolI-'ApakA zubha nAma?' 'maiM zrImAla kA rAjakumAra ratnasiMha huuN| maiM devI se milakara zarta ko samajhanA cAhatA huuN|' 'devI abhI yahAM pdhaareNgii|' donoM mitroM ne maireya kA pAtra khAlI kara diyaa| paricArikA ne pUchA-'aura maireya leMge.?' 'nahIM', ratnasiMha bolaa| paricArikA khAlI pAtra lekara calI gii| usI kSaNa eka paricArikA ke sAtha devI puSpasenA ne khaMDa meM praveza kiyaa| puSpasenA ko dekhakara donoM mitra khar3e ho ge| puSpasenA ne abhivAdana karate hue kahA-'Asana para baittheN| kyA AjJA hai?' ratnasiMha puSpasenA ke kAmaNagAre nayana ko sthira dRSTi se dekha rahA thaa| unakA mitra bhI usa rUpa ko dekhakara apane Apako bhUla-sA gyaa| aupacArika bAtacIta ke pazcAt puSpasenA ne apanI zarta ko vistAra se smjhaayaa| ratnasiMha bolA- 'zarta acchI hai| ApakI umra.....?' 'unnIsavAM varSa cala rahA hai|' 'merI icchA hai ki maiM Apake sAtha dAMva kheluuN|' 'jaisI ApakI icchA / para merI zarta kaThora hai| hArane vAle vyakti ko maiM eka khaMDa meM baMda kara detI huuN| jIvanabhara use vahIM rahanA par3atA hai| Apa rAjakumAra haiN| kyA itanI pIr3A sahana kara sakeMge?' 'hAM, devI! Apako pAne ke lie yaha pIr3A sukhadAyaka hI hogii|' khela prAraMbha karane ke lie dUsarA dina nizcita huaa| aba ratnasiMha ke lie rAta bitAnI kaThina ho gii| use puSpasenA ke vicAroM ne jakar3a liyA thaa| vaha usako dekhakara pAgala ho gayA thaa| 432 vIra vikramAditya

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jisakA yauvana pagalA jAtA hai, use nIMda nahIM aatii| vaha mana-hI-mana puSpasenA ke rUpa-lAvaNya ko pI rahA thaa| rAta ke tIna prahara bIta ge| cauthe prahara meM use kucha nIMda AyI / kintu yaha nIMda bhI madhura svapnamayI thii| usane svapna meM dekhA ki vaha puSpasenA ko copar3a ke khela meM harAkara vijayI huA hai aura vaha puSpasenA ke sAtha kAmakrIr3A kara rahA hai| itane meM hI eka dAsI ne rAjakumAra ko jagAte hue kahA - 'kumAra zrI ! prAta:kAla hue vilamba ho gayA hai|' svapna se cauMkakara ratnasiMha jAgRta huA / harSavibhora hokara rAjakumAra bola uThA - 'mere bhAgya kA sUryodaya ho gayA hai|' dUsare dina / ratnasiMha puSpasenA ke bhavana meM phuNcaa| vahAM sArI vyavasthAeM thiiN| donoM ne zartapatra para hastAkSara kie aura copar3a kA khela prAraMbha kiyA / donoM copar3a khelane meM niSNAta the / aura eka hI ghaTikA meM khela sampanna ho gayA / puSpasenA ne do dAMva jIta liye / vaha vijayinI huii| ratnasiMha kA ceharA pIlA par3a gayA / puSpasenA bolI- 'rAjakumAra ! apanI zarta kA pAlana kreN|' rAjakumAra khar3A huA aura dhAraNa kie hue sAre alaMkAra utArakara nIce rakha die| puSpasenA ne use eka kakSa meM kaida kara diyA / yaha bAta sArI nagarI meM phaila gii| nagara ke logoM meM bhArI khalabalI maca gii| ina tIna mahInoM meM dUsare dasa vyakti bhI puSpasenA ke dAsa bana cuke the| yaha bAta mahArAja vikramAditya tathA yuvarAja devakumAra ne bhI sunii| puSpasenA kI samasyA cirantana samasyA- sI bana cukI thI / yuvarAja devakumAra ne puSpasenA ko parAjita karane kA nizcaya kiyaa| yuvarAjJI manamohinI jAnatI thI ki yuvarAja copar3a khelane meM itane niSNAta nahIM haiM aura ve nizcita hI puSpasenA se parAjita ho jaaeNge| usane mana-hI-mana nizcaya kiyA ki maiM use avazya harAUMgI ! yaha bAta usane mahArAjA vikrama ko batAI / vikrama bole- 'beTI ! tuma ? puSpasenA kevala puruSoM ke sAtha hI khelatI hai|' 'yaha maiM jAnatI huuN| maiM puruSaveza meM use parAjita kruuNgii|' vIra vikrama manamohinI kI bAta se sahamata ho ge| kucha dina bAda / vIra vikramAditya 433

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eka dina puSpasenA apane ArAmagRha meM vicAramagna hokara baiThI thii| usane socA-kyA isa virAT nagarI meM bhI mujhe nirAza honA par3egA? mere hRdaya ko pulakita karane vAlA, mere citta ko prasanna karane vAlA aura mere jIvana ko rasamaya banAne vAlA koI naujavAna mujhe milegA hI nahIM? usI kSaNa paricArikA vRndA ne Akara kahA- 'devI! eka atithi Ae haiN|' 'atithi?' 'hAM devI, copar3a khelane ke lie Ae haiN|' 'kaise haiM?' 'naujavAna, kArtikeya jaise suMdara aura madhura vANI vaale|' 'taba to tU bhI una para mugdha ho gaI ho, aisA pratIta hotA hai| muskarAte hue puSpasenA ne khaa| 'devI! maiM saca kaha rahI huuN| mere varNana meM koI atizayokti nahIM hai| komala zarIra, vaya meM bhI Apa jaisA, usakI AMkheM bahuta kAtila haiM, patalI mUche, puSTa chAtI, mAno kAmadeva hI taruNa kA rUpa dhAraNa kara AyA ho|' 'acchA-acchA, jA, tU unakA svAgata kara / maiM kucha hI kSaNoM meM AtI huuN|' puSpasenA ne khaa| ____ vaha vastragRha meM gii| vastra bdle| zRMgAra kara jyoM hI vaha kakSa meM AyI, usakI dRSTi atithi para pdd'ii| usane socA, vRndA ne jo kahA thA, usameM tanika bhI atizayokti nahIM hai| ___atithi anya koI nahIM, yuvarAjJI manamohinI svayaM puruSa ke veza meM atithi ke rUpa meM AyI thii| puSpasenA ne pUchA- 'ApakA paricaya ?' "maiM bIsa varSa kA naujavAna huuN| maiM eka dhanADhya vyApArI kA putra huuN| merA nAma hai-mnmohn|' manamohinI ne muskarAte hue khaa| ___ vRndA eka ora khar3I thii| puSpasenA ne vRndA kI ora dekhakara kahA'vRndA! atithi kA maireya, pAnaka, dUdha Adi se satkAra kr|' 'maiM jaina huuN| sUryAsta ke bAda jala-pAna nahIM letaa|' 'taba ApakA svAgata.....?' 'bhAvanA se hone vAlA svAgata zreSTha hotA hai| Apane uttama svAgata kiyA hai| maiM ApakI zarta ko svIkArane AyA huuN|' 434 vIra vikramAditya

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puSpasenA manamohinI kI bAtacIta se AkarSita ho cukI thii| donoM ne copar3a khelane kA samaya nizcita kara ddaalaa| copar3a kA khela prAraMbha huaa| mAtra do ghaTikA meM pahalA khela samApta ho gyaa| puSpasenA hAra gii| manamohinIbolI-'devI! Apa nirAzana hoN| Apane kAmazAstra kA abhyAsa kiyA hai yA nahIM?' 'abhyAsa hai, anubhava nhiiN|' 'Azcarya!' 'seThajI ! maiM abhI kumArikA huuN|' 'smjhaa| kintu maiM dUsarI hI bAta kara rahA thaa| kAmazAstra kahatA hai ki nArI kabhI nahIM haartii| aura yadi hAratI hai to bhI usameM usakI vijaya chipI rahatI hai|' _ 'yaha maiM jAnatI huuN|' kahakara puSpasenA ne premabharI dRSTi se naujavAna kI ora dekhA aura usake anta:karaNa meM yaha nizcaya ho gayA ki usakI kalpanA Aja sAkAra hogii| dUsarA khela prAraMbha huaa| puSpasenA hAra gii| vaha manamohinI kI ora dekhakara bolI-'Apa vijetA hue haiN| merI sampatti ke svAmI bane haiN| maiMne hArakara bhI Apako jIta liyA hai|' kahakara puSpasenA caraNoM meM jhuka gii| manamohinI ne kahA- 'devI! pahalA kAma yaha karo ki jitane vyaktiyoM ko tumane baMdI banA rakhA hai, unheM sasammAna chor3a do|' vaisA hI huaa| manamohinI ne puSpasenA kA komala hAtha pakar3akara kahA-'priye ! jIvana eka khela hai, eka svapna hai| kahAM tere jaisI sunayanA, suDaula aura catura nArI aura kahAM mere jaisA ardhapAgala vaNik !' 'svAmI!' 'nahIM, senA! tuma kisI sazakta puruSa kI ardhAMginI banane ke yogya ho, kintu jue ne tumheM mere jaise vyakti ke caraNoM meM lA paTakA hai|' puSpasenA mauna rhii| manamohinI bolI-'priye ! aba hameM yahAM se rAjabhavana jAnA hai|' 'rAjabhavana?' 'hAM, mahArAjA mere pitAjI ke mitra haiN| bhaya kA koI kAraNa nahIM hai|' vIra vikramAditya 435

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dUsare dina sUryodaya ke pazcAt puSpasenA ne uttama vastrAlaMkAra dhAraNa kie aura rAjabhavana jAne ke lie taiyAra ho gaI / donoM eka banda ratha meM baiThakara rAjabhavana kI ora vidA hue| usa samaya vIra vikrama apanI cAroM rAniyoM ke sAtha kalevA kara rahe the / manamohinI puSpasenA ke sAtha usI kakSa meM gaI / vIra vikrama aura cAroM rAniyAM avAk raha giiN| manamohinI ne praNAma karate hue kahA- 'pitAjI! hama donoM Apake caraNoM meM praNAma karate haiM / ' vIra vikrama ne puSpasenA kI ora dekhaa| donoM mahArAjA ke caraNoM meM jhuka gaIM / vIra vikrama bole - 'isa sundarI ko maiMne kahIM dekhA hai|' 'hAM, yaha prakhyAta gaNikAputrI puSpasenA hai| copar3a ke khela meM yaha hAra gaI / Apa isake sAtha bAta kareM, mujhe abhI prAta:kArya se nivRtta honA hai' kahakara manamohinI calI gaI / manamohinI snAna Adi se nivRtta hokara apane mUla veza meM usa kakSa meM AyI, usase pUrva hI vIra vikrama ne puSpasenA ke samakSa sArA rahasyodghATana kara diyA thaa| puSpasenA asamaMjasa meM par3a gii| vIra vikrama bole- 'beTI ! tuma donoM meM se kauna hArA hai aura kauna jItA hai, isa bAta ko bhUla jAo / ' vIra vikrama aura cAroM rAniyAM khaMDa se bAhara calI giiN| manamohinI ne puSpasenA se kahA - 'puSpA ! tumhAre mana meM roSa to nahIM hai ?' 'Apa bar3e cAlAka nikale....' 'puSpA! aba tuma sArI cintA chodd'o| jo mere pati, ve hI tumhAre pati.....' 'yuvarAjJI!' 'hAM, maiM saca kahatI hUM / ' 'nahIM, nhiiN| yaha kabhI nahIM ho sakatA / ' 'taba to tumheM jIvanabhara mere sAtha sakhI rUpa meM rahanA hogA aura yuvarAja yadi tumheM yogya lageM to.... / ' puSpasenA ne manamohinI kI goda meM mastaka chipA liyaa| 78. ananta gagana dUsare hI dina AcAryazrI siddhasena divAkara avaMtI meM aae| samagra rAja-parivAra unake darzanArtha gyaa| puSpasenA bhI sAtha meM gii| 436 vIra vikramAditya

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hRdaya ko zakti aura zAzvata sukha pradAna karane meM samartha pravacanoM se janatA ke hRdaya bhIgane lge| pandraha dina taka pravacana sunane ke pazcAt puSpasenA kA hRdaya Andolita ho utthaa| vIra vikrama ne tIrthATana karane kA nizcaya kiyA aura.... puSpasenA ne dIkSA lene kI icchA vyakta kii| AcArya ne use dharmasaMgha meM dIkSita kara liyaa| puSpasenA dhanya ho gii| usake jIvana kI samasyA sadA-sadA ke lie samAhita ho gii| vaha sahI rUpa meM vijetA bana gii| __ mAlavapati vIra vikramAditya bahuta bar3e saMgha ke sAtha tIrthayAtrA ke lie nikala pdd'e| chaha hajAra hAthI! hajAroM ratha! hajAroM azva! hajAroM bhAravAhaka vAhana! hajAroM taMbU-zAmiyAne! hajAroM rakSaka, pAkazAstrI aura dAsa-dAsI, uttama vaidya, zalya-cikitsaka aura haadd'vaidy| isa prakAra dUsarI avaMtI nagarI jaisA vizAla zrIsaMgha sadAcAra kA pAlana karatA huA agrasara hone lgaa| rAjya-vyavasthA kA sArA bhAra yuvarAja savAIvikrama ko de diyA gyaa| manamohinI tIrthayAtrA meM sAtha gii| yaha mahAn saMgha jaba tIrthayAtrA kara puna: avaMtI lauTA taba pAMca mahIne aura ikkIsa dina bIta cuke the| isa tIrthayAtrA ke daurAna mAlavanAtha ne eka araba, sar3asaTha karor3a, sattara lAkha, ar3asaTha hajAra aura sAta sau svarNamudrAeM dAna Adi meM kharca kI thiiN| anyAnya rAjAoM ne bhI yatra-tatra bahuta dAna diyA thaa| - vIra vikrama ko saiMtAlIsavAM varSa cala rahA thaa| unakI paropakAra-parAyaNa bhAvanA dinoMdina vikasita ho rahI thii| aura eka dina rAjasabhA meM dharatIkaMpa jaisA samAcAra A pdd'aa| mAlavapati kI dharatI para zakoM kA AkramaNa hone lgaa| yaha suna sArI sabhA cauMka utthii| do mahIne bIta ge| zakoM ke atyAcAra cala rahe the| vIra vikrama taka dardabharI ghaTanAeM Ane lgiiN| aura usI samaya vIra vikrama kI atipriya rAnI kamalAvatI bImAra ho gii| cAra dina bAda vIra vikrama zakoM ko bodhapATha dene nikala pdd'e| do varSa taka ve apane rAjya meM ghUme aura zakoM ko mAra bhgaayaa| vIra vikrama vijetA banakara rAjadhAnI lautte| kaviyoM ne vikramAditya ko 'zakAri' kI upAdhi dii| kamalA rAnI kA dehAnta ho gayA thaa| saikar3oM rAjAoM ne mahArAja ko cakravartI kA pada diyaa| vIra vikramAditya 437

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janatA ne 'paraduHkhabhaMjaka' kI upAdhi se vibhUSita kiyaa| vikrama ke pacAsa varSa pUre hue| jyotiSazAstriyoM ne ikyAnaveM varSa ko vikrama saMvat ke rUpa meM pracArita kiyaa| rAjabhavana kI chata para rAta meM mahArAja vikramAditya akele ghUma rahe the| unakI dRSTi AkAza para sthira thii| unake mana meM aneka vicAra ubhara rahe the jIvana kA AdhA bhAga bIta gyaa| mere aneka sAthI saMsAra se vidA ho ge| becArA rAmadAsa! sAtha meM AyA aura saMgrAma meM mArA gyaa| svAmIbhakta ajaya zatru kI talavAra kA bhoga bnaa| priya kamalA bhI calI gii| devadamanI sadA ke lie vidA ho gii| oha! yaha saMsAra hI aisA hai| sukha-du:kha ke ghere meM baMdI yaha saMsAra jaba taka nahIM chUTatA taba taka.... vicAroM-hI-vicAroM meM unheM agnivaitAla kI smRti ho aayii| apane bar3e bhAI bhartRhari kI smRti ubharane lgii| bhAbhI ne jo Aropa lagAyA thA, vaha yAda A gyaa| aura yAda AyA raajpaatt| pacAsa varSa dekhate-dekhate kSaNabhara meM bIta ge| aba kyA kiyA jAe? mahArAjA vikramAditya kucha Age soceM, usase pahale hI sukumArI chata para Akara bolI- 'svAmI!' 'Ao, sukumArI!' 'yahAM akele Apa kyA kara rahe haiM?' 'priye! maiM apane jIvana kA lekhA-jokhA kara rahA huuN| maiMne kyA pAyA, kyA khoyA yaha soca rahA huuN|' 'mahArAja! Apane kyA pAyA-yaha socanA kyA hai ? dekhie, gagana meM tArAgaNa bhI ApakA vardhApana kara rahe haiN| kupAnAtha! Apane janatA ko jIne kI kalA sikhAI hai| isa dharatI kI pavitra saMskRti kI rakSA Apane kI hai| samUce rASTra meM Apane dharma aura nIti kI rekhAeM aMkita kI haiN| kala hama saba kAla-kavalita ho jaaeNge| sArI sampatti aura sArA aizvarya yahIM raha jAegA, kintu ApakA kArya kabhI naSTa nahIM hogaa| vaha kAlAtIta hai| kAla kA usa para asara nahIM hogaa|' vIra vikrama gagana kI ora dekhate rhe| 438 vIra vikramAditya

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prakRti nIrava thii| vIra vikrama ne sukumArI kI ora dekhakara kahA-'devI! tumhArA kahanA saca hai| AcAryazrI ne kahA thA-dene meM Ananda hai, lene meM nahIM, merI cintA sukha kI samRddhi ke lie nahIM thI.....' "to phira....?' 'merI cintA kevala prajA ko sukhI karane kI thii| sAtha-sAtha AtmasAkSAtkAra kI bhAvanA bhI rahatI thii|' 'svAmInAtha....!' sukumArI ne khaa| vIra vikrama ne puna: gagana kI ora dekhate hue kahA-'ananta gagana kA maMgalagIta Aja pahalI bAra mujhe prApta huA hai|' gagana kI cAdara meM jhilamila karate hue tArakavRnda haMsa rahe the| unakA hAsya prasanna aura madhura thaa| 000 vIra vikramAditya 436

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AgamamanISI muni dulaharAja jIvana paricaya janma : 14 julAI 1922, kolAra golDa phIlDa (karnATaka) dIkSA 25 akTUbara 1948, chApara (rAja.) zikSAnikAya 8 pharavarI 1966, DAbar3I (rAja.) sAjhapati : 29 akTUbara 1981, aNuvrata vihAra, dillI AgamamanISI : 27 janavarI 2004, jalagAMva (mahArASTra) bahuzruta pariSad sadasya : 16 sitambara 2010, saradArazahara (rAjasthAna) vizeSa : dIkSA dina se nirantara AcArya mahAprajJa kI sevA meM rhe| Agama-zodha kArya meM prArambha se hI saMlagna / AcArya mahAprajJa ke zatAdhika pustakoM ke smpaadk| terApaMtha dharmasaMgha meM prathama aMgrejI ke jnyaataa| hindI-saMskRta-prAkRtagujarAtI-kannar3a Adi bhASAoM ke pratibhAsaMpanna vidvaan| zatAvadhAnI, sAhityakAra, cintaka, vaktA, kavicetA aura lekhanI ke dhnii|suduur yAtrAoM meM avirala shyaatrii| ISBN 8171951574 emakkhiA vijjAvaraNa rajana vizva lADanU0 9117881711951574 // bhAratI Rs 200/